The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Tougher action needed to halt criminal activities used by pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs

Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, is outraged that record criminal fines aren’t stopping drug companies in America from using selling practices that harm consumers.

"The recent $2.3 billion settlement between Pfizer and the U.S. Justice Department for unlawful prescription drug promotion may sound large, but it’s not enough to ensure drug companies will curb their bad behavior," said Sidney Wolfe, M.D., director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, in a statement about the settlement.

Pfizer broke the record set by Eli Lilly & Co. in January for what was then described by the Justice Department as the "largest individual corporate criminal fine" in U.S. history. The fine was more than $500 million in criminal penalties for off-label promotion of Zyprexa, a drug used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Pfizer record-breaking criminal fine of $1.2 billion is the largest criminal fine ever imposed in the United States for any matter. The rest of the $2.3 billion represents civil penalties.

The settlement focused mainly on Pfizer's promotion of Bextra, an anti-inflammatory drug pulled from the market in 2005 for safety reasons, reports the article "Pfizer Agrees to Record 2.3 Billion Fine" on The Washington Time’s Web site.

Authorities said Bextra had been approved in 2001 for only three ailments – uterus pain and two forms of arthritis. Pfizer had asked for Food and Drug Administration approval to have Bextra prescribed to treat all types of pain, but the FDA refused because of concerns about it causing blood clots in the heart.

But Pfizer marketed the drug as a general pain reliever anyway, though it remains unclear how many patients fell ill as a result, according to the article.

Public Citizen reports that American drug companies have a long history of criminal activities in selling drugs:

The U.S. pharmaceutical industry, long one of the most profitable in the country, with profits last year of close to $50 billion, has engaged in an unprecedented amount of criminal activity in the past decade, all aimed at increasing sales, often by illegally promoting drugs for diseases for which evidence that benefits outweigh harm is lacking – also known as illegal off-label promotion.

When doctors are induced, either by being bribed or misled by drug companies, to prescribe drugs for such purposes, there is a reasonable chance that the drugs will do more harm than good and patients may be seriously injured or killed by such promotion.

In addition to Pfizer and Eli Lilly (Pfizer also pleaded guilty to criminal charges for off-label promotion of Neurontin in 2004), other drug companies found to have engaged in criminal activity in the past 10 years include Abbott, Schering-Plough, Astra-Zeneca, Purdue, and Bayer, Public Citizen reports.

"Unfortunately, the ever-escalating fines are unlikely to stop drug companies from continuing to bribe doctors because they represent just a fraction of drug company profits and no one has gone to jail," Wolfe said.

"Until corporate titans are forced to fork over a much larger proportion of their illegally gotten profits and are put behind bars, nothing will change," he said.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Are you still taking Celebrex?

If you're still taking Celebrex – a drug often prescribed for arthritis, menstrual cramps, and acute pain – Consumer Reports thinks there are good reasons to take another look at whether taking the drug is the right choice for you.

Nearly a decade after reports linking celecoxib (Celebrex) to an increased risk of heart attack, and two years after the American Heart Association warned against the drug for people at risk of heart problems, about 11 million prescriptions for it are still filled each year, Consumer Reports said in its article "Should You Still Take Celebrex?"

Why are so many consumers still using Celebrex? It’s being widely promoted by the pharmaceutical company that manufactures it. Consumer Reports states in its article:

Pfizer, maker of celecoxib, has resumed heavily advertising it directly to consumers, spending $54.8 million on ads in 2007 and $58.5 million in 2008. A new ad – a full two minutes long, and also available online at www.celebrex.com/ depicts a man walking a dog and riding a bike. It suggests that the drug is no riskier than other related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil and generic) and naproxen (Aleve and generic).

Celecoxib may be appropriate for a small number of patients, according to Consumer Reports, but the consumer magazine has strong reservations about consumers using the drug because:

• It's probably harder on the heart.

• It may not be much easier on the gut.

• It's no more effective.

• It's more expensive.

See the article for details.

If you think you’ve experienced an adverse event with this drug or any drug, especially if it’s of a serious nature, it’s important to (1) tell your doctor immediately and (2) report the event to the Food and Drug Administration via the FDA's MedWatch Web site at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What America can learn from other nations on how to provide affordable, universal health care

The United States not only spends more money on health care than any other nation but also leaves 45 million consumers uninsured, allowing about 22,000 to die annually from easily treatable diseases.

Washington Post foreign correspondent T.R. Reid, author of "The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care," was recently interviewed on National Public Radio about his travels around the world investigating the health care systems in other wealthy countries.

To gather information on health care systems, he went to doctors in the U.S., Japan, Germany, France, and Britain to see what they would suggest for treatment for an old shoulder injury.

Reid said that although he did receive a recommendation to have surgery, he declined. However, he did receive help by massage treatments.

The interview with Fresh Air’s Terry Gross on WHYY, "T.R. Reid: Looking Overseas for 'Healing of America,'" is worth taking the time to listen to.

Reid also wrote an article "Five Myths About Health Care Around the World" on The Washington Post.

He said in the article that other industrialized democracies have faced problems like the U.S., and they've found ways to cover everybody – and still spend far less than is spent in America.

Here are some highlights on Reid’s five myths:

Myth 1. It's all socialized medicine out there.

Many wealthy countries – including Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and Switzerland – provide universal coverage using private doctors, private hospitals, and private insurance plans.

Myth 2. Overseas, care is rationed through limited choices or long lines.

Studies by the Commonwealth Fund and others report that many nations – Germany, Britain, and Austria – outperform the U.S. on measures such as waiting times for appointments and for elective surgeries.

Myth 3. Foreign health-care systems are inefficient, bloated bureaucracies.

U.S. health insurance companies have the highest administrative costs in the world; they spend roughly 20 cents of every dollar for nonmedical costs, such as paperwork, reviewing claims, and marketing. France's health insurance industry covers everybody and spends about 4 percent on administration. Canada's universal insurance system, run by government employees, spends 6 percent on administration.

Myth 4. Cost controls stifle innovation.

The U.S. is home to groundbreaking medical research, but so are other countries with much lower cost structures. Hip and knee replacements are a French innovation. Deep-brain stimulation to treat depression is a Canadian breakthrough. Many of the drugs promoted on American television, including Viagra, come from British, Swiss, or Japanese labs.

Myth 5. Health insurance has to be cruel.

American health insurance companies routinely reject applicants with a "preexisting condition." They employ armies of adjusters to deny claims. If a customer faces big medical bills, the insurer's "rescission department" digs through the records looking for grounds to cancel the policy, often while the consumer is still in the hospital. Foreign health insurance companies must accept all applicants, and they can't cancel as long as you pay your premiums.

Reid’s research helps clear up the misconceptions that have been circulating about the health care systems in other nations.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Andrew Weil’s recommendations for effective, accessible, and affordable health care in America

Andrew Weil, M.D., a leader in alternative medicine, appeared yesterday on CNN’s Larry King Show.

Weil discussed his new book “Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future.”

Weil brought out a number of important issues that have been missing from the loud and long health care reform debate.

He said the entire medical system in America is based on disease management with costly interventions.

Low-tech, less expensive solutions – such as diet, exercise, and mind-body connections – should be emphasized, Weil added.

He recommends integrative medicine be taught in medical schools and used throughout America, adding integrative medicine has outcomes as good or better then conventional medicine.

In addition to taking over the education in medical schools, the pharmaceutical companies have power over members of Congress, Weil said. They’ve blocked discounts for prescription drugs for those with Medicare.

The drug companies have changed the American medical system so that people think the only way to treat disease is with drugs, he said. In the mid 20th century, health care got mixed up with big money, and health care is seen as an industry. It belongs to people who don’t want to see it changed, he said, adding they’re making “rivers” of money.

Here are changes that Weil urges consumers to demand immediately:

• Ban direct-to-consumer marketing and advertising by big pharma.

• Create a National Institute of Health and Healing at the NIH and fund it generously.

• Create an Office of Health Promotion within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and fund it appropriately.

• Teach health promotion and integrative medicine at medical schools and residency programs.

• Require insurers to cover health promotion and integrative care.

• Establish an Office of health Education within the U.S. Department of Education.

• Learn how to take care of yourself.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What you need to know about retirement planning in 2009

Last fall, fall I bought Kiplinger’s Retirement Planning 2008 magazine. With articles such as "Retire Worry-Free," "Protect Your Nest Egg," "Plan Now," and "Live the Dream," I thought there would several articles I could blog about.

However, when I picked up the magazine a few weeks after I purchased it, I was disappointed. The information didn’t fit the current financial crisis. I know the deadline for magazine articles is often three months before publication date. Kiplinger’s Retirement Planning magazine certainly was out of date.

This year’s Kiplinger’s Retirement Planning 2009 magazine is much better.

Helpful articles for boomer consumers include: “Rebuild Your Savings,” “Rethinking Retirement,” “Get Back on Track,” “The Best Financial Advice,” “New Rules for Investing Your Money,” “In Search of Health Insurance,” “Life After a Layoff,” and “Reverse Mortgages Keep Getting Better.”

Here are five ways the magazine suggests for consumers to rebuild after the Great Recession:

1. Contribute at least enough to your 401(k) plan to capture your employer’s match – assuming you still get one – and bump up future contributions automatically.

2. Make additional “catch up” contributions – up to $5,500 in 2009, if you’re 50 or older.

3. Don’t raid your retirement accounts early. You’ll lose the benefits of compounding and could lose as much as 40 percent of your distribution to taxes and penalties.

4. Plan to work a few years longer to fatten your retirement savings and your Social Security check.

5. Reduce your annual withdrawals until the stock market bounces back, if you’re already retired.

Other retirement tips include:

• Plan for a retirement that could last 25 years or more.

• Don’t forget inflation’s impact on your future buying power.

• Keep some of your assets invested for growth, even in retirement.

• Limit withdrawals from savings to 4 percent of your balance during the first year of retirement and adjust for inflation in later years.

• Anticipate rising health care costs, especially if you aren’t eligible for Medicare of if you don’t have employer-provided retiree health benefits.

Resources to help consumers in retirement planning offered in the magazine include:

• See how much income your retirement savings will generate by using the free calculator at www3.towerprice.com/ric/ric/public/ric.do.

• Calculate your Social Security benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

• Locate a financial planner at www.napfa.org.

• Check out financial professionals or report investment fraud at www.helpforinvestors.org.

• See www.callan.com/research to see how different kinds of securities go from winners to losers every year.

• Go to www.medicare.gov to compare your options and the costs in your area, including medigap policies, prescription-drug plans, and the all-in-one Medicare Advantage programs.

• Get advice on choosing the best Medicare plan for you from the State health Insurance Assistance Program in your area at www.shiptalk.org or the Medicare Rights Center at www.medicarerights.org.

• See www.medicarenewswatch.com to get estimates of your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare, HMOs, and PPOs that include drug coverage.

• Check out www.escapeartist.com, www.internationalliving.com, www.liveabroad.com, and www.livtopia.com for information on retirement abroad.

To get a copy of Kiplinger’s Retirement Planning 2009, see newsstands, bookstores, or libraries.

Or you can order the magazine through Kiplinger’s Web site.

It’s worth the $5.95 price.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How to find out about what’s happening with health care reform

Unsure about health care reform?

You needn’t be. There’s plenty of information available for consumers to learn about the proposals and lots of time to let members of Congress know their opinions.

Three of the five Congressional committees working on legislation to reinvent the nation’s health care system have delivered bills:

• House Education and Labor Committee

• House Ways and Means Committee

• Senate Health Committee

The two house bills are nearly identical. You can read a copy of HR 3200 by going to the Library of Congress Web site.

An analysis of the bill, the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act – Quality Affordable Health Care,” and other information is available on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Web site.

Here is background information to help you understand the various health care proposals:

“House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans” – Committee on Energy and Commerce

“Senate Puts Off Healthcare Bill Until After Obama’s August Deadline” – AHN

“Paying for What Works: A U.S.PIRG Policy Primer on Health Care” – U.S.PIRG

“Health Care Reform” – The New York Times

“A National Healthcare Reform Primer” – Los Angeles Times

Check out these organizations working on overhauling the health care system for information and ways to take action:

Healthcare-NOW! – An education and advocacy organization that advocates for the passage of national, single-payer healthcare legislation as in HR 676.

National Coalition on Health Care – A nonprofit group made up of more than 70 organizations, which is working to achieve better, more affordable health care for all Americans.

Public Citizen – A national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that represents consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch, and the courts.

U.S.PIRG – A federation of state public interest research groups that works to win concrete results for the health and well being of consumers.

AARP – A nonprofit membership organization that helps people 50 and older improve the quality of their lives.

Universal Health Care Action Network – A grassroots organization working at the local and state level to build the political power needed to ensure that future health reform enacted in the U.S. provides affordable, quality health care for all.

Stand Up for Health Care – An organization that empowers ordinary Americans with the knowledge and opportunity to become leaders in the movement for health care reform.

Consumer Union’s Prescription for Change.org – A campaign by Consumers Union for safe, affordable, effective prescription drugs.

Unions for Health Care Reform – A mobilization team of the AFL-CIO, working with a broad alliance of grassroots organizations to win progressive reform and give millions more union members the information and tools to become active players and health care voters.

Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need – A national initiative working to make sure women’s voices are heard in the health reform debate and women’s concerns are addressed by policymakers developing national and state health reform plans.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The health care debate: Who do you trust to decide whether the red pill or the blue pill is best?

Yesterday I wrote I was reassured by the direction the overhaul of the health care system is taking after watching President Obama’s press conference. I listed 10 points that he made that I thought were positive.

However, one topic he discussed seems to me to be problematic.

Obama wants the health care system to work better. A laudable goal.

He said the MedPAC program, a group of health care experts that makes recommends on cuts and specific changes to Medicare, should be given more authority. Currently, their suggestions don’t need to be followed.

Obama said Republican lawmakers proposed that these recommendations be sent to Congress for their approval. It would incentivize and empower important changes, he said.

Medicare benefits won’t be reduced, Obama said. The benefits will be made more effective.

Who do you trust to make decisions about which pills and treatments are best?

I don’t trust the pharmaceutical industry. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America or PhRMA, which represents the 29 largest drug companies, has spent $40 million lobbying on health care in the last three months, reports All Things Considered, a National Public Radio program.

The drug companies also are lobbying. With their lobbyists and the PhRMA lobbyists, there are more lobbyists for the drug industry than there are members of Congress.

Jerry Avorn, M.D., author of “Powerful Medicines: The Benefits, Risks, and Costs of Prescription Drugs” said the drug companies are getting what they want in the proposed health care legislation.

Cheaper drugs from Canada and the ability of the government to negotiate the price of drugs are “off the table,” Avorn said on the program.

I don’t trust doctors. Doctors rely too heavily on the drug companies for information and treatment options. More and more information is being reported on faulty research results in medical journals and doctors being compensated by the drug industry.

For example, a world-renowned Harvard child psychiatrist, Joseph Biederman, M.D., whose work has helped fuel an explosion in the use of powerful antipsychotic medicines in children earned at least $1.6 million in consulting fees from drug makers from 2000 to 2007 but for years did not report much of this income to university officials, reports the article “Researchers Fail to Reveal Full Drug Pay” in The New York Times.

I don’t trust insurance companies and health maintenance organizations. They’re making coverage decisions now, with no cost caps, and share a lot of the blame for our out-of-control health care costs.

I don’t trust health care providers who rely heavily on medications and surgery to solve health problems. Alternative medicine has many effective, less invasive options – such as massage and acupuncture – to help consumers. I’m concerned that these helpful options won’t be available if “experts” on the panel disregard these options in favor of medications and surgery. For example, see my article “Baby Boomers Should Try Alternative Medicine Solutions Before Opting for Knee Surgery for Arthritis.”

Many Western medicine doctors rely extensively prescription drugs to relieve symptoms. Underlying problems aren't being addressed. People continue to take the drugs, many of which have devastating side effects, but they don't get better.

In his book, “An Integrative Approach to Healing Chronic Illness: Revealing the Root Causes of Modern Disease,” acupuncturist Rich Brightheart discusses the need to examine the role of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, allergies, and environmental toxins in causing illness.

I don't trust hospitals. They're charging outrageous fees, paying CEOs huge salaries, and not doing enough to curb hospital infections. See my article "Consumer Group Calls on Hospitals, Government to Take Action to Prevent 100,000 Deaths Annually From Hospital Infections."

Who do you trust to make these health care decisions?

My next post will be "How to Find Out About What's Happening With Health Care Reform."

Disclosure: Richard Brightheart is my acupuncturist, and I edited his book “An Integrative Approach to Healing Chronic Illness: Revealing the Root Causes of Modern Disease.”

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide Recall of the Week: Nature & Health Co. male enhancement products

Opteron 1 Inc., doing business as Nature & Health Co., is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of the company's six supplement products sold under the following names: LibieXtreme, Y-4ever, Libimax X Liquid, Powermania Liquid, Powermania Capsule, and Herbal Disiac.

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration lab analysis of samples of the supplements found they contain either tadalafil, an active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction or ED, its analog aminotadalafil, or the analog of sidenafil, an active ingredient of another FDA-approved ED drug.

An analog is a drug whose structure is related to that of another drug but whose chemical and biological properties may be quite different.

The recalled products are unapproved drugs, according to the FDA.

None of the active drug ingredients are listed on the product labels, reports the FDA.  The undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.

In addition, the product may cause side effects, such as headaches and flushing.

The six recalled products were distributed in retail stores in California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Ohio.

Consumers who have any these products in their possession should stop using them immediately and contact their physician if they’ve experienced any problems that may be related to taking the products, recommends the FDA.

Any adverse events that may have been caused by the use of the products should be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

• Online at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm.

• By phone at 800-FDA-1088.

• By returning the postage-paid FDA form 3500, which may be downloaded from www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm, by mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

• By fax at 800-FDA-0178.

No illnesses have been reported to the company in connection with these products, the FDA reports.

Consumers should return any unused products – for a refund of the full purchase price or a refund of the cost for the unused portion – to the retail location where they were purchased.

Or contact Nature & Health directly at 714-671-0016 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by email at sales@naturenhealth.com to receive further instructions for returning the product or with any questions.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Baby boomer alert: Watch out for household products that could injure or kill your child or grandchild

Each year, poisonings from consumer products found in the home kill about 30 children and result in more than two million calls to poison control centers across the nation.

More than 90 percent of the calls involve poisonings in the home. Every year an estimated 80,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for unintentional poisonings.

March 15 to 21 is National Poison Prevention Week, which aims to help prevent childhood poisonings.

Children younger than age 5 account for the majority of the non-fatal poisonings. A recent review conducted by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 70 percent of poisonings involve children 1 to 2 years of age.

Oral prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and supplements were involved in more than half of the incidents.

“Awareness and action are the keys to preventing unintentional poisonings,” said Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the commission. “Children act fast. So do poisons. That’s why we urge parents, grandparents, and caregivers to have layers of poison prevention protection in the home.”

The commission recommends that parents, grandparents, and caregivers immediately take these three steps.

1. Keep medicines and household chemicals in their original, child-resistant containers.
2. Store the potentially hazardous substances up and out of a child’s sight and reach
3. Keep the national toll-free poison control center telephone number, 800-222-1222, handy in case of a poison emergency.

Additional poison prevention tips to check during National Poison Prevention Week are:

• When hazardous products are in use, never let young children out of your sight, even if you must take them along when answering the phone or doorbell.

• Keep items closed and in their original containers.

• Leave the original labels on all products, and read the label before using.

• Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine so that you can see what you’re dispensing or taking. Check the dosage every time.

• Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as "medicine," not "candy."

• Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.

• Don’t put decorative lamps and candles that contain lamp oil where children can reach them. Lamp oil can be very toxic if ingested by young children.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Drug company argues woman who lost her arm shouldn’t have right to sue

A musician whose arm was amputated after gangrene resulted from an improper injection with an anti-nausea drug filed a lawsuit against Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Wyeth argued it shouldn’t be held liable since the label had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled six to three that federal law doesn’t prevent plaintiffs from suing drug companies in state court. The ruling upheld a Vermont jury’s $6.7 million award to Diana Levine, who played the guitar until the amputation.

Levine received an injection of Wyeth’s Phenergan when she went to a local health clinic in 2000. The physician’s assistant injected the drug into an artery instead of a vein, causing the gangrene.

As a result of the decision, consumers now have greater standing to sue drug companies when drugs kill or cause severe injuries, according to the article “Supreme Court Upholds Consumers’ Right to Sue Drug Companies in State Court” on Consumer Affairs.com.

See the articles for details.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist