The Consumers Union Calls For A Prescription For Change
April 2, 2008 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
One of my mottoes has always been, “If you want something done, get up and do the damn thing.” Having that mentality is definitely one of the reasons I love grassroots movements and advocacy.
It’s also definitely one of the reasons I love passing along information about said grassroots movements and advocacy to you lovely people.
A couple of weeks after the Grab Drug Advertisements By The Pills series here at Mental Health Notes, I received an email from Consumers Union Grassroots Organizer Daniela Nunez about their recent petition to the FDA for better reporting of drug side effects. The Appropriately labeled Prescription for Change aims to urge the FDA to require the same MedWatch 1-800 number given in print drug advertisements to also be given during television drug advertisements, as well as Web site information.
Just to clarify, the MedWatch 1-800 number is the number consumers can call to report drug side effects. Congress passed legislation in 2007 requiring all print drug advertisements to include this number; however, it’s still up to the FDA to determine what kind of information (ahem, this number to report side effects) is included in television drug advertisements.
While briefing me on the current system to report side effects, Daniela explained:
Drug companies often fail to present the benefits and risks of the products they advertise, and it often isn’t until a drug is out on the market and taken by millions that we see safety problems emerge. The easier it is for consumers to report side effects, the earlier the FDA will be able to detect potential safety hazards.
The FDA’s current system for consumers to report drug side effects, called MedWatch is woefully inadequate; it’s estimated to collect only 1 to 10 percent of all adverse events – because consumers don’t know about it!
I have no problem believing that. I didn’t know about it. And believe me, given some of the side effects I’ve experienced – both while I was taking medication and while I was withdrawing from it (Cymbalta, anyone?) – I would have made good use of the number.
Damn good use.
This is a petition I think will interest many people – people who’ve experienced prescription medication side effects, people who want the FDA to make it easier to report side effects, and people who are upset they didn’t even know about this number and therefore want it better publicized, i.e. want it included in the television drug advertisements!
In addition to visiting the Prescription for Change Web site, you can find more information about this petition by checking out the Consumers Union press release and reading The Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog post Consumer Group Says TV Drug Ads Should Carry FDA’s Number.
It’s up to us to make a change.
The above photo belongs to Duchamp and is being used under this Creative Commons attribution.
Hi, I am usually over at the Cymbalta site, but as I no longer take that I probably shouldn’t be diluting their site and it’s purpose.
Update: I had thought I had gotten a better Dr. this time around, but this idiot didn’t think I needed my thyroid meds. With blood test in hand and not being able to understand anything that resembles conversational English, He, with out consult to me nor my physician canceled my thyroid prescription. I got it worked out, but…….. what an effort, to cover the backside of a quack that’s not even an MD. He has had me on Lithium and that was terrible and then he put me on Valproic Acid. Almost as bad as the Cymbalta without the brain surges. The only thing I have is benadry; to help me keep level. That is actually doing a pretty good job. I want, but doubt that I can get him to test me for the P450 problem. Here in Colorado they rely more on chanting, waving feathers around and Indian dancing to heal people.
Yesterday I came real close to ending it all and no authority would help me. I was so down and depressed. Toady after taking only 1/2 the previous dose I am very manic and want to yell and kill someone/something. The counselor doesn’t think it is important find the cause. She only wants me to behave the way her society says is acceptable. Though her society does not follow those same rules when dealing with me.
@ Charles – Hey there! I remember you from the comment section of the Cymbalta: The Withdrawal Symptoms From Hell post.
I am so sorry to hear you’re not having much luck with any of the people and medicines you’re dealing with. It’s scary to read that you were “close to ending it all” and “down and depressed,” and even scarier when I think you didn’t have someone there to talk to. What do you do when you find yourself feeling that way? Is there someone around you can talk to? If not, have you considered calling any kind of help line?
I sincerely hope things get better for you my friend, and I hope you’ll keep me updated.
I did get ahold FINALLY to the Shrink at the Denver VA and he talked me down and I quit the Depacote and took benafril as a buffer agent. I have never been that scared. I am not confident they have the correct diagnosis. I am loosing faith in any drug. i have taken 6 or 7 now and had a variety of bad experiences with them all. I was accepted into the vocational rehab at the VA, but they are making it a conditin that I take ‘A’ drug. I find that limiting/restricting my right to treetment agreement. I just don’t know. Bottom line, better today.
@ Charles – I’m not sure what to think about them making it a requirement that you take something, but it’s definitely good to hear that you’re better today. One day at a time, right?