Conclusion
It is evident that state and federal governments have gaps in their control of the manufacture, distribution and dispense of pharmaceuticals in the United States. The FDA is failing to inspect the multitude of generic pharmaceutical manufacturing plants that are springing up throughout the world to meet the increasing demand, just as they appear to be failing to provide quality control for pharmaceuticals made in the United States.
Now, the United States wants to open the door to biogenerics. With little or no oversight of the process, the results could be disastrous for the patients who need these medicines to heal them.
But the cost savings is so significant, some will say. Who cares if it may kill you? The prescription only costs you $4!
If the label says zolpidem, the patient should be able to rest easy knowing that he or she has received zolpidem. Is that too much to ask?
Written with help from Prevent Medical Error, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote best practices. As a nonprofit, Prevent Medical Error has accepted contributions from donor holdings in UnitedHealth Group. Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and Forest Labs.
Article comments
1 - bliffle
As it happens I spent the weekend with a number of doctors and the efficacy of drugs came up. Apparently, few drugs show any statistical effect on longevity. Lipitor, for example. If that is so, then why take a chance on the safety of drugs, especially since the FDA has abandoned it's watchdog job? Are we, the patients and taxpayers, merely payers of fees to enrich the pharmas and their cohorts in the insurance 'industry'? And if we balk at paying ourselves, our taxes, to the tune of $500billion, used to subsidize them?