The Safety Of Our Drugs Compromised By Bushco.

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Another 'Katrina' in the makings with America's Drug supply.

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September 23, 2006

Study Condemns F.D.A.’s Handling of Drug Safety

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 — The nation’s system for ensuring the safety of medicines needs major changes, advertising of new drugs should be restricted, and consumers should be wary of drugs that have only recently been approved, according to a long-anticipated study of drug safety.

The report by the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, is likely to intensify a debate about the safety of the nation’s drug supply and the adequacy of the government’s oversight. The debate heated up in September 2004 when Merck withdrew its popular arthritis drug Vioxx after studies showed that it doubled the risks of heart attacks.

Several senators have already proposed significant changes, some of which the report seems to endorse.

The report’s conclusions are often damning. It describes the Food and Drug Administration as rife with internal squabbles and hobbled by underfinancing, poor management and outdated regulations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/health/policy/23fda.html?ei=5059&en=7c3ac8cb2d9fde42&hp=&ex=1158984000&partner=AOL&pagewanted=print