Big Pharma

[zoje_george]

Why the hell isn't Big Pharma getting their knickers in a twist about these stupid conscience clauses? I mean, they've really made no bones about the fact that they're in it for the money, despite their mealy-mouthed blatherings about working for the greater good and health of the American citizenry. Why aren't they getting pissed about the fact

Comments

[ladyxoc]

Just post a pic of your tootsies in those slippers, and we'll call it square. ;)

I dunno about Our Lord Pharma, I've been wondering that myself. Do you think they'll step in if it doesn't blow over? Are they afraid of negative publicity? The Tiny Penis Womb Police dancing around holding plastic fetus dolls? Mad Bombers?

[bureinato]

Off the top of my head on why big Pharma isn't getting involved with the "conscience" pharmacists is they have taken a beating recently in the press and are unwilling to stick their neck out for anything. Right now they care more about keeping those nice expensive pain meds on the market. Also they are very concerned about not angering the current administration, who could make their lives much harder. The FDA isn't going to do much because they are also taking a beating for approving dangerous drugs. I remember back in the 80's (I think) when the FDA was getting smacked around for not approving drugs fast enough, now it's the reverse.

I'm wondering if all these "conscience" pharmacists are coming out of the woodwork now because they feel it's safe. FDA & big Pharma are too tied up in knots over safety and the administration is their pal.

I'm of the opinion most drugs aren't "safe" it's whether the risks are worth it to you for that condition. OK, I'm on a tangent now.

[pescana]

What are they getting instead?

Less scrutiny of all their other fine products during the trial phase? Just a thought.

Evil. Hope you got good coffee, and OOOOH cheese curds!

[seriouspenguin]

Hey, you're welcome. Nothing says "feel good" like CHEESE

[seriouspenguin]

A good point.

Although I wonder how many generics there really are of OCs... a lot of them get reformulated and re-introduced, and as such I don't think they're all available as generics. I think new drugs are exclusive to the original developer for some specified length of time. So all of the new low-hormone varieties and such are probably not generics yet, though I'm by no means an expert on that. Feel free to correct me if I've got that all bass-ackwards.

[pescana]

I take loestrin, which is definitely a low-hormone version that I was prescribed because I used to smoke, and I know there's a generic version. I need to call my doctor and ask her to tell the pharmacy I can have generic, because the insurance coverage for the name-brand went up to $45 when my work switched insurance companies. (Fuckers!)

It's useful as birth control, of course, but that's never been why I take it. I can just imagine my response if the pharmacist asked me why I took it. "Because my doctor prescribed it, and what business is it of yours why I was prescribed something?"

All of this is, however, exactly why we patronize our local independent drug store. I really, really want him to stay open and prosper.

[seriouspenguin]

And I meant the money from the damn Viagra advertising, not the advertising itself. Um, anyway, moving right along...