The lawsuits against Avandia are being prepared and opportunists are lining up for a payday. Unfortunately, everyone else will wind up a loser, and here’s why. Avandia, one of only two available medicines with unique properties to treat diabetes, was approved in 1999. From the very first day Avandia was approved a heated debate arose [...]
May 16, 2011 By Dr. G. Pepper
Are New Diabetes Medications Worth the Money?
(I don’t think so, and here’s why.) The FDA just announced its approval of linagliptin (Tradjenta), a new diabetes medication developed by Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Inglheim. Linagliptin is the third drug to be approved in the class of medications commonly known as gliptins (scientifically known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors) which block [...]
May 6, 2011 By Dr. G. Pepper
Endocrinologists Take a Backward Step in the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
When I became an endocrinologist in 1981 I was truly excited about the field. At that time it seemed that the science of endocrinology was expanding rapidly and new discoveries were on the horizon particularly in regards to the way hormones effect the brain, mood and the immune system. Was I ever wrong! It’s thirty [...]
September 27, 2010 By Dr. G. Pepper
Don’t Expect New Weight Loss Meds for 10 Years or More
As a culture we don’t plan for a sudden halt in scientific advancements. Our tendency is to expect progress to be rapid and continuous. My prediction is that in certain areas of medical science we are likely to see not only a halt in progress but a slipping backward. In particular, the realm of medical [...]
December 23, 2009 By Dr. G. Pepper
Pharma Expert Examines FDA Moves on Restricting Armour
Hank Frier has been involved with the pharma industry for a long time and helps us see through the news blackout in regards to the FDA actions on Armour. He is also suffering the same fate as many others in the U.S., having been successfully treated with Armour for many years, now forced to switch [...]
December 10, 2009 By Dr. G. Pepper
Dangerous Alternatives for Desiccated (Armour) Thyroid
Yesterday a patient of mine asked if I was aware of a source of desiccated thyroid produced in Thailand. I was immediately skeptical for a few reasons. Many countries do not have an agency that provides quality control for medications. Whatever the drawbacks to the FDA, it is reassuring to know that for the most [...]
September 7, 2009 By Dr. G. Pepper
Mele is Out of Armour and Out of Options
Below, Mele describes her plight struggling to adjust to the disappearance of Armour from U.S. pharmacies. She discovered what was explained in my post, “Behind the Disappearance of Armour”. Forest Pharmaceuticals and Medicare are both responding in their own ways to the FDA decree that Armour Thyroid submit an application (NDA) as if it were [...]
September 2, 2009 By Dr. G. Pepper
Behind the Disappearance of Armour Thyroid
After 50 years of exemplary therapeutic use and despite a large devoted following, Armour Thyroid and related dessicated thyroid generics have virtually disappeared from pharmacies in the U.S. An air of mystery with suggestions of conspiracy surround the shortage. The level of distress among Armour users confronted by their inability to obtain the medication, is [...]
June 16, 2009 By Dr. G. Pepper
Unreasonable Standards by the FDA for New Diabetes Drug Approval?
This post is the third in a series under the title: 2009. Another Troubled Year for Endocrinologists. This year the FDA has instituted new standards for diabetes drugs coming up for approval. These new standards require that each new drug prior to approval must demonstrate the lack of any negative impact on cardiovascular (heart and [...]
May 3, 2009 By Brian RD
Hydroxycut Banned-It’s About Time
As you may have read in the news, Hydroxycut, the wildly popular weight loss supplement, has finally been banned. The FDA has cited serious liver damage and even death in certain users. It’s about time the FDA stepped up to the supplement companies who produce and market supplements without regulation. The multi-billion dollar supplement industry [...]
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