Scary FDA Stuff

The FDA recently banned production of a drug because it has caused liver problems in some patients. Fairly severe liver problems, including death. However, further investigation seems to indicate that users of this drug, which is used for treating a wide range of neurological disorders such as narcolepsy and ADHD, have no recourse. Some of them simply have to resign themselves to losing their mental stability, their jobs and more.

Teresa Nielsen Hayden is one of those people and there's a very interesting thread about it in her blog:

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007140.html#007140

Very scary stuff. She is at no risk for liver failure from the drug - she's been on it for years and has been monitoring her liver as long as she's taking it. But, because the FDA says so, she simply cannot get her medication any longer. The impact to her life is not small. She and her husband say it more eloquently than I can... but this is scary and sad...

And, a little later, I noticed this article about how most over the counter cough syrup doesn't actually do any good, although it can definitely do harm:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4598006.stm

What a great world... I think my parents are right. Doctors are all quacks...