If you missed Wednesday’s post about Prescription for Change, the Consumers Union petition to the FDA to make it easier for consumers to report side effects of medications, I highly recommend checking it out.
In other drug news, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Programs now have a total of three “AZ & Me” prescription assistance programs (particularly interesting for those of you who take Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
Mental Health America has issued another call to action for us. This one regards proposed cuts in Medicaid funding for rehabilitative, case management, and school administrative services – all of which include mental health services …read more

Grab Drug Advertisements by the Pills: Part Two
Carrying on with the Grab Drug Advertisements by the Pills series, let’s talk about drug advertisements and the FDA. Specifically, what drug advertisements are and are not required to tell us.

Since 1962, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or, the FDA) has regulated prescription drug advertising under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related regulations. (The FDA considers an “advertisement” to be broadcast promotions such as television and radio, print materials such as magazines and newspapers, and even telephone contacts.)
These references cover a lot of material, so I’ll sum up what’s …read more