Viruses / Vaccines 2

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

Well it's just strange to besmirch the agency charged with protecting the public health of this country,  along with the 18k employees.  But screw them, right.

When they approve a drug,  do you do your own research and testing before you take something prescribed by your physician?

brianlux said:

I get it about being skeptical of the FDA, but then I feel that way about all government agencies- FDA, EPA... FBI, CIA, BBC, B.B. KING, DORIS DAY, MATT BUSBY... you name it. 
But it's not that I'm against these agencies.  The hard right would like to see them all disbanded (terrible idea, in my opinion).  I just want to see them be more efficient and accountable. 

Absolutely.  I think some forget that these agencies are made up of just normal people who work hard every day, and try to do a good job.  Many are physicians and researchers that are giving up much larger incomes in the private sector, to work in a federal agency.  

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

Well it's just strange to besmirch the agency charged with protecting the public health of this country,  along with the 18k employees.  But screw them, right.

When they approve a drug,  do you do your own research and testing before you take something prescribed by your physician?

How could I possibly test something my doc has prescribed? I research each of them though, and choose whether or not to take them. I’ve turned down plenty and still have intense pain. Every. Fucking. Day. 

Yet, I have a problem when drugs like Oxy and morphine and fentanyl are being prescribed for long-term use. Those can fuck a person up. So can low-dose antidepressants, which while they can work for pain, there’s no way I’m taking something for months that can fuck with my mind. But lots of people are cool with it and that’s fine. I’m just not one of them. 

And of course, there’s a striking need for more efficiency and accountability. Doesn’t happen that often though on any government level — which I find sad, and frustrating.

So yeah, fuck the FDA. I honestly don’t believe the powers that be have anything other than the bottom line in mind (and how to keep increasing it). 

brianlux said:

mrussel1 said:

brianlux said:

I get it about being skeptical of the FDA, but then I feel that way about all government agencies- FDA, EPA... FBI, CIA, BBC, B.B. KING, DORIS DAY, MATT BUSBY... you name it. 
But it's not that I'm against these agencies.  The hard right would like to see them all disbanded (terrible idea, in my opinion).  I just want to see them be more efficient and accountable. 

Absolutely.  I think some forget that these agencies are made up of just normal people who work hard every day, and try to do a good job.  Many are physicians and researchers that are giving up much larger incomes in the private sector, to work in a federal agency.  

I had a friend years ago who worked in a government office.  Smart guy, hard worker, liked his job.  He said to me one time (wow!  so very reminiscent of what you just said!), "I get so sick of people asking me why I would work for the government.  They tell me how f'ed up and crooked and evil the government is.  That's bullshit.  The government is mainly made up of normal people like me just trying to work hard and do a good job."

I was a federal employee working for the 2000 Census and can attest to that.  True, for me it was a temp position that lasted a little less than a year, but some of the people I worked with were regular full time federal employees.  That was a very busy office.  We worked hard and there a spirit of teamwork and pride in what we were doing.

That's great.  Gov't service is something that should be celebrated, and it used to be in this country.  Now thanks to social media, political vendettas and loonies at the end of the bar that now have a platform, gov't workers are the enemy.  It's sad.  

brianlux said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

Well it's just strange to besmirch the agency charged with protecting the public health of this country,  along with the 18k employees.  But screw them, right.

When they approve a drug,  do you do your own research and testing before you take something prescribed by your physician?

How could I possibly test something my doc has prescribed? I research each of them though, and choose whether or not to take them. I’ve turned down plenty and still have intense pain. Every. Fucking. Day. 

Yet, I have a problem when drugs like Oxy and morphine and fentanyl are being prescribed for long-term use. Those can fuck a person up. So can low-dose antidepressants, which while they can work for pain, there’s no way I’m taking something for months that can fuck with my mind. But lots of people are cool with it and that’s fine. I’m just not one of them. 

And of course, there’s a striking need for more efficiency and accountability. Doesn’t happen that often though on any government level — which I find sad, and frustrating.

So yeah, fuck the FDA. I honestly don’t believe the powers that be have anything other than the bottom line in mind (and how to keep increasing it). 

I know you're not a Gov. Newsom fan, but I wonder, there is a new plan for California to produce it's own insulin (and possibly other drugs in the future) with the intent to make medications more affordable.   I wonder if that might give you some hope (at least as a California resident)?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/insulin-california-fight-rising-prices-gavin-newsom/

Unfortunately, no, as for me (at least) it’s not about affordability. 

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

They have been examples of FDA employees suddenly getting mid 6 figure salaries with private companies.
Nothing really illegal about hiring former FDA employees. But it’s definitely a conflict of interest when you’re supposed to be restricting potential future employers with a massive pay increase.
A drug that really shouldn’t have been approved gets approved, then the FDA employees working on it get hired on privately at 10 times their previous salary.

mace1229 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

They have been examples of FDA employees suddenly getting mid 6 figure salaries with private companies.
Nothing really illegal about hiring former FDA employees. But it’s definitely a conflict of interest when you’re supposed to be restricting potential future employers with a massive pay increase.
A drug that really shouldn’t have been approved gets approved, then the FDA employees working on it get hired on privately at 10 times their previous salary.

The American system is set up for private companies to benefit from innovation. Part of that includes allowing workers to move from govt jobs to private sector. That is pure capitalism, letting the wealthier companies get better. 

Lerxst1992 said:

mace1229 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

mrussel1 said:

hedonist said:

Screw the FDA. They don’t actually care about the people; it’s more about kickbacks and their questionable (to put it lightly) relationship with the Pharm industry.

Fuck em. 

Kickbacks?  Have any examples of kickbacks?

Oxy and lots of other drugs. The film Dope Sick comes to mind. Kinda think many insurance companies are in on it too. Personally, I find it interesting that I can get virtually any opioid prescribed for my post-cancer pain, but alternative medicine like acupuncture? No bloody way — not enough money to be made.

If you’re pro FDA and not cynical of their “work”, that’s great for you. I disagree. I think they’re made up of some pretty shitty people. 

You're accusing them of criminal activities.  So I'm wondering where that has come out, been proven,  etc. 

For one, Purdue pleaded guilty to criminal wrongdoing in 2020. I imagine there are many others but I won’t be doing research to placate you. I’m more than comfortable in my assessments 😉

This has nothing to do with RS for me, by the way. 

They have been examples of FDA employees suddenly getting mid 6 figure salaries with private companies.
Nothing really illegal about hiring former FDA employees. But it’s definitely a conflict of interest when you’re supposed to be restricting potential future employers with a massive pay increase.
A drug that really shouldn’t have been approved gets approved, then the FDA employees working on it get hired on privately at 10 times their previous salary.

The American system is set up for private companies to benefit from innovation. Part of that includes allowing workers to move from govt jobs to private sector. That is pure capitalism, letting the wealthier companies get better. 

In other countries, if govt resources are used for advances in medicine, or even energy, the govt, and by extension, their taxpayers, benefit financially. In America, if big pharma develops a new treatment with help from R and D credits (thanks taxpayers!) , they profit. And who pays the most internationally? Americans, of course. Who gets the best deals on cheaper medicine developed in part by American taxpayers? Europeans??

.

Yes. And if that first paragraph is true, and I agree it is, it makes those government employees not want to be in bad standing with the big companies they are supposed to monitor. Because they want a job with them in the future.
Probably not illegal unless you get someone admitting there was bribing going on with job offers, but definitely sets up a conflict of interest. There may not even be any discussions about what to let slide, but just a culture of if I shut you down I know I’ll never get hired.