You know, I often find it hard to write the next line in my blog. I've said pretty much all I have to say about the profession of pharmacy without repeating myself.
But, I think sometimes people misunderstand me. So, let me attempt to set the record straight.
I want the truth to be said.
Numero Uno - I'm not gay. Although I'll fight for gay rights and also against any other type of hate and injustices, I'm a fervent vagina enthusiast. I love women. I see the beauty in most women that others can't see, or refuse to see. But, I don't hate anyone who doesn't.
Numero Dos - I'm always going to side with "the people", the poor, the underdogs, the downtrodden, the exploited, the human beings from whom the robber barons steal, and whom the GOP hate.
Numero Tres - I don't toe any line. I voice my own opinions and share my own views like I see them, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I'm not here to be politically correct or to massage anyone's balls. I speak the truth the way I see it. Just listen to these gay guys explain how I feel.
This is the sound of my soul. If you want to hang around and listen, cool. If not, that's cool too.
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Pharmacy Compounding And The Public
There's a very good reason why early 20th century laws, like the Pure Food and Drug Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and other FDA legislation were enacted.. because many innocent Americans died or suffered as a result of the unbridled quest of a few for greater profits.
When harmful consequences caused by those few begin to affect a significant portion the American public, our Federal political leaders need to act quickly and succinctly in order to protect the public and ensure that it doesn't happen again. IMO, that's not what's happening in pharmacy compounding.
For those unfamiliar with pharmacy compounding, let me explain how the process has worked over the years to give you a better understanding of the problem -
Traditionally, when a physician wants to provide a remedy for one of his/her patients, but such a remedy isn't commercially available (made by a pharmaceutical manufacturer), that physician would write a prescription for that patient, to be compounded (manufactured) by a neighborhood pharmacist.
This type of local manufacturing complies with the FDA rules and regulations for drug compounding because a physician writes a single prescription for a single individual patient, and because there is a direct relationship between the patient, the physician, and the pharmacist.
All three members of this relationship are directly involved in that one patient's care and can monitor whether that compounded prescription is effective or not. If an error was to occur anywhere in the process, only one patient would be harmed, and the source of that error could be easily traced and quickly corrected. This type of relationship has been working fine for decades.
But then, something changed along the way.
Recent medical technological advances made it possible for pharmacists to compound prescriptions in a more sterile environment. A niche was born, and some pharmacists sought to capitalize on it. Compounding pharmacists began to compound injectable prescription products outside of the hospital environment, similar to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Over time, those pharmacists discovered that there weren't clear and concise laws regarding the compounding and sales of their products. There was an uncertain quasi-regulation of compounding pharmacies between both the State governments and the Federal government.
Somehow, compounding pharmacies were allowed to skirt the traditional rules of compounding and began compounding products without having that direct patient/physician/pharmacist relationship.
They began compounding injectable drugs without a written prescription from a physician, nor just for single individual patients. That niche progressed to the point where pharmacists started compounding injectable drugs in bulk, for local sale to hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices.
The compounding process further progressed to the point where pharmacists began shipping their compounded products interstate, throughout the United States. In essence, their pharmacies now became pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. But unfortunately, these pharmacies weren't being held to the same standards to ensure public safety that apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Then, for various reasons, injectable drug shortages began to appear throughout the country. These compounding pharmacies began to grow and expand in providing replacements for those shortages.
But, no regulators seemed to be monitoring their activity. Compounders were left to self-regulate.
Because the important direct relationship between patient, physician, and pharmacist was missing, because no one outside of the profession was ensuring quality, and because these products were being shipped nationwide, it seemed only a matter of time before something tragic would happen.
A simple error could be "compounded" from only one patient being affected, to a large number of patients being affected, and it would become much harder to trace the source.
And that's exactly what happened. The multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections among patients who received contaminated steroid injections from just one compounding pharmacy has currently led to more than 740 innocent people being injured, with 55 deaths.
It's been over six months when we first learned of this tragedy, and yet compounding pharmacies are still being allowed to manufacture their potentially unsafe products, and are still allowed to continue shipping their products nationwide. No one in charge is seemingly attempting to stop it.
It's not like members of Congress are unaware of the unnecessary risks to the American public from allowing pharmacies to manufacture and sell injectable products without having to conform to the same sterility and manufacturing standards in which pharmaceutical manufacturers must comply.
Advocates in healthcare serving the interests of their patients as a whole have provided a simple solution to the problem. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices,
But yet, while there's reportedly a unconcerted effort on behalf of state and professional organizations in reaction to the problem, nothing is being done by Congress to simply correct the underlying cause.
House GOP members say that the laws don't need to be changed, and blame this tragedy on lack of FDA enforcement. They refuse to change the laws to clarify the regulatory gaps or work with Senate Democrats to quickly and succinctly rectify the situation. They're resolved to do nothing.
Meanwhile the Senate, acting like they are on the public's side, has taken the initiative to create a new regulatory class of drug manufacturers, confusingly called “compounding manufacturers,” that would be exempt from federal premarket approval and related labeling requirements, and thereby maintaining the status quo.
So I have to wonder, what the hell is wrong with all of these people? Don't they care?
To me, it seems as though no one in authority - not professional regulators, not State regulators, not Federal regulators, and neither political party wants to stop compounding pharmacies from behaving like pharmaceutical manufacturers, even when public safety is significantly at risk.
And that's the true tragedy behind this unfortunate incident.
When harmful consequences caused by those few begin to affect a significant portion the American public, our Federal political leaders need to act quickly and succinctly in order to protect the public and ensure that it doesn't happen again. IMO, that's not what's happening in pharmacy compounding.
For those unfamiliar with pharmacy compounding, let me explain how the process has worked over the years to give you a better understanding of the problem -
Traditionally, when a physician wants to provide a remedy for one of his/her patients, but such a remedy isn't commercially available (made by a pharmaceutical manufacturer), that physician would write a prescription for that patient, to be compounded (manufactured) by a neighborhood pharmacist.
This type of local manufacturing complies with the FDA rules and regulations for drug compounding because a physician writes a single prescription for a single individual patient, and because there is a direct relationship between the patient, the physician, and the pharmacist.
All three members of this relationship are directly involved in that one patient's care and can monitor whether that compounded prescription is effective or not. If an error was to occur anywhere in the process, only one patient would be harmed, and the source of that error could be easily traced and quickly corrected. This type of relationship has been working fine for decades.
But then, something changed along the way.
Recent medical technological advances made it possible for pharmacists to compound prescriptions in a more sterile environment. A niche was born, and some pharmacists sought to capitalize on it. Compounding pharmacists began to compound injectable prescription products outside of the hospital environment, similar to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Over time, those pharmacists discovered that there weren't clear and concise laws regarding the compounding and sales of their products. There was an uncertain quasi-regulation of compounding pharmacies between both the State governments and the Federal government.
Somehow, compounding pharmacies were allowed to skirt the traditional rules of compounding and began compounding products without having that direct patient/physician/pharmacist relationship.
They began compounding injectable drugs without a written prescription from a physician, nor just for single individual patients. That niche progressed to the point where pharmacists started compounding injectable drugs in bulk, for local sale to hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices.
The compounding process further progressed to the point where pharmacists began shipping their compounded products interstate, throughout the United States. In essence, their pharmacies now became pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. But unfortunately, these pharmacies weren't being held to the same standards to ensure public safety that apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Then, for various reasons, injectable drug shortages began to appear throughout the country. These compounding pharmacies began to grow and expand in providing replacements for those shortages.
But, no regulators seemed to be monitoring their activity. Compounders were left to self-regulate.
Because the important direct relationship between patient, physician, and pharmacist was missing, because no one outside of the profession was ensuring quality, and because these products were being shipped nationwide, it seemed only a matter of time before something tragic would happen.
A simple error could be "compounded" from only one patient being affected, to a large number of patients being affected, and it would become much harder to trace the source.
And that's exactly what happened. The multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and other infections among patients who received contaminated steroid injections from just one compounding pharmacy has currently led to more than 740 innocent people being injured, with 55 deaths.
It's been over six months when we first learned of this tragedy, and yet compounding pharmacies are still being allowed to manufacture their potentially unsafe products, and are still allowed to continue shipping their products nationwide. No one in charge is seemingly attempting to stop it.
It's not like members of Congress are unaware of the unnecessary risks to the American public from allowing pharmacies to manufacture and sell injectable products without having to conform to the same sterility and manufacturing standards in which pharmaceutical manufacturers must comply.
Advocates in healthcare serving the interests of their patients as a whole have provided a simple solution to the problem. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices,
As we move forward and learn from the most recent outbreak, we call upon Congress to work with key stakeholders to address the need for additional laws on the federal level to fill in regulatory gaps. FDA oversight and regulations must be equal to what is required of pharmaceutical companies when compounding pharmacies dispense in mass quantities without individual patient prescriptions, manufacture sterile products from non-sterile active ingredients, or distribute across state lines.Congress has also been told by the FDA that unclear laws make it difficult for them to enforce safety.
But yet, while there's reportedly a unconcerted effort on behalf of state and professional organizations in reaction to the problem, nothing is being done by Congress to simply correct the underlying cause.
House GOP members say that the laws don't need to be changed, and blame this tragedy on lack of FDA enforcement. They refuse to change the laws to clarify the regulatory gaps or work with Senate Democrats to quickly and succinctly rectify the situation. They're resolved to do nothing.
Meanwhile the Senate, acting like they are on the public's side, has taken the initiative to create a new regulatory class of drug manufacturers, confusingly called “compounding manufacturers,” that would be exempt from federal premarket approval and related labeling requirements, and thereby maintaining the status quo.
So I have to wonder, what the hell is wrong with all of these people? Don't they care?
To me, it seems as though no one in authority - not professional regulators, not State regulators, not Federal regulators, and neither political party wants to stop compounding pharmacies from behaving like pharmaceutical manufacturers, even when public safety is significantly at risk.
And that's the true tragedy behind this unfortunate incident.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Nothing Really Matters To Me
It's too late, my time has come. Nothing really matters to me about pharmacy anymore.
But, if there's anything I can share with new pharmacists just beginning their careers, it's DO NOT let your employer pressure you into working faster than you think is safely necessary.
Trust me on this. No matter which way the wind blows, you won't be able to live with yourself if you make a mistake and seriously hurt one of your patients.
But, if there's anything I can share with new pharmacists just beginning their careers, it's DO NOT let your employer pressure you into working faster than you think is safely necessary.
Trust me on this. No matter which way the wind blows, you won't be able to live with yourself if you make a mistake and seriously hurt one of your patients.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Who's Really Exploiting The System?
If there's one common complaint that I've heard coming from retail pharmacists and techs nationwide, it's about dealing with seemingly able customers who they consider are abusing the welfare system. I've even heard some of them say that they "hate" those leeches. Although it's never bothered me as much as some of my former colleagues, I can understand their anger.
Imagine working in pharmacy located in a poorer section of town and constantly dealing everyday with customers who seem to have no overt physical problems, dress nicely, drive expensive vehicles, and perhaps even wear more bling than you, and who then use Medicaid/AHCCCS/ Workers Comp or some other type of social welfare program to pay for their prescriptions.
And to top it off, you find out that some of those welfare recipients can't speak English, increasing your suspicions that they might not even be Americans!
It's not hard to understand why those pharmacists and techs are angry at people who they think are exploiting the system. They've struggled, they've sacrificed, they've worked hard and put up with a lot of bullshit to earn everything they've got. Why should their hard-earned tax dollars be spent supporting people who are being allowed to suck off the system? Who wouldn't agree with that? I know that I do.
Of course, things aren't always what they seem to be.
I'm sure that many welfare recipients aren't exploiting the system and truly need the help. Although a few of us have probably said it, wishing that we could be in their shoes to live their lives of ease isn't the answer. If you've dealt with some welfare patients behind the scenes, and see how they really live, you wouldn't wish their quiet lives of desperation on your worst enemies.
That being said, yes, I'm also sure that there are some welfare patients exploiting the system. And you want to know what? It's not fully their fault. Lack of enforcement is the problem. Exploitation of any system would rarely occur if it was designed appropriately and the rules enforced to protect it.
But, exploiting the system is what America is all about. That's how we roll.
The problem with America today hasn't been caused by some poor schlub who may taking advantage of the social welfare system. America, and the rest of the world too, is in crisis because of the lack of enforcement against corporate crime, and corporate welfare. That's where most of our tax dollars are being spent. That's where the bulk of any type of investigation and reform should be directed.
As such, when you begin to read investigative reports into crimes involving the social welfare system, ask yourself why, especially during this period in time, are such investigations are being conducted?
Is it because the social welfare system is truly in crisis and could cause the American economy to fail? Or is it because the grand old "party of hate" is attempting to redirect your anger away from the real crimes being committed against the American public, in an effort to exploit you?
So, if you feel the need to have to hate people, then make sure that you're hating the right people.
Imagine working in pharmacy located in a poorer section of town and constantly dealing everyday with customers who seem to have no overt physical problems, dress nicely, drive expensive vehicles, and perhaps even wear more bling than you, and who then use Medicaid/AHCCCS/ Workers Comp or some other type of social welfare program to pay for their prescriptions.
And to top it off, you find out that some of those welfare recipients can't speak English, increasing your suspicions that they might not even be Americans!
It's not hard to understand why those pharmacists and techs are angry at people who they think are exploiting the system. They've struggled, they've sacrificed, they've worked hard and put up with a lot of bullshit to earn everything they've got. Why should their hard-earned tax dollars be spent supporting people who are being allowed to suck off the system? Who wouldn't agree with that? I know that I do.
Of course, things aren't always what they seem to be.
I'm sure that many welfare recipients aren't exploiting the system and truly need the help. Although a few of us have probably said it, wishing that we could be in their shoes to live their lives of ease isn't the answer. If you've dealt with some welfare patients behind the scenes, and see how they really live, you wouldn't wish their quiet lives of desperation on your worst enemies.
That being said, yes, I'm also sure that there are some welfare patients exploiting the system. And you want to know what? It's not fully their fault. Lack of enforcement is the problem. Exploitation of any system would rarely occur if it was designed appropriately and the rules enforced to protect it.
But, exploiting the system is what America is all about. That's how we roll.
The problem with America today hasn't been caused by some poor schlub who may taking advantage of the social welfare system. America, and the rest of the world too, is in crisis because of the lack of enforcement against corporate crime, and corporate welfare. That's where most of our tax dollars are being spent. That's where the bulk of any type of investigation and reform should be directed.
As such, when you begin to read investigative reports into crimes involving the social welfare system, ask yourself why, especially during this period in time, are such investigations are being conducted?
Is it because the social welfare system is truly in crisis and could cause the American economy to fail? Or is it because the grand old "party of hate" is attempting to redirect your anger away from the real crimes being committed against the American public, in an effort to exploit you?
So, if you feel the need to have to hate people, then make sure that you're hating the right people.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Fitness Over Fifty
I worked out at the downtown YMCA (across the street from ASU) the other day, and while it's never my intention to compete with anyone else but myself, there's always that one dumbass in his early twenties that gets upset that I can lift more than him, and hatefully views me as "the competition".
Foolish jealousy is a loser's game my young friends. If you only knew that it's exactly the opposite of what you're thinking. I want you to embrace weightlifting, and be like me once you reach my age. If you can outperform me in any weightlifting category, I'm happy for you and your accomplishment.
Don't be jealous of us older guys. Reaching fifty-years of age doesn't mean a death sentence, or that I should be expected to "give up" and act (what you consider) my age. As long as anyone stays off the "juice", a little persistence in the weight room can go a long way in leading a healthy life, living longer, and looking more youthful in middle-age. If I outperform you, don't blame me, it's your fault.
Fitness Over Fifty with Steve of Club Fitness New York from Mighty Productive on Vimeo.
Foolish jealousy is a loser's game my young friends. If you only knew that it's exactly the opposite of what you're thinking. I want you to embrace weightlifting, and be like me once you reach my age. If you can outperform me in any weightlifting category, I'm happy for you and your accomplishment.
Don't be jealous of us older guys. Reaching fifty-years of age doesn't mean a death sentence, or that I should be expected to "give up" and act (what you consider) my age. As long as anyone stays off the "juice", a little persistence in the weight room can go a long way in leading a healthy life, living longer, and looking more youthful in middle-age. If I outperform you, don't blame me, it's your fault.
Fitness Over Fifty with Steve of Club Fitness New York from Mighty Productive on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week
According to this CDC video released for this year's Get Smart About Antibiotics Week - When your child is sick, antibiotics may not be the answer. Work with your child’s doctor or nurse to learn how you can help your child feel better.
Did you notice how pharmacists, the family's most readily and freely accessible healthcare provider, professionals who could quickly and competently triage a child's signs and symptoms, and prevent unnecessary doctor visits, were snubbed as being a potential source for educating the public?
Did you notice how pharmacists, the family's most readily and freely accessible healthcare provider, professionals who could quickly and competently triage a child's signs and symptoms, and prevent unnecessary doctor visits, were snubbed as being a potential source for educating the public?
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
A Few Bad Apples
How many times have you heard someone use the phrase "It's always the few bad apples that spoil the whole bunch", or a phrase similar to that? I know that I've heard it numerous times. Heck, I'm sure that I've even said it a few times myself.
But, it wasn't until just yesterday, after discussing the topic of "regulation" when I started to give it more thought and realized that this phrase isn't accurate. If anything, the exact opposite is true - there are only a few good apples in the bunch, trying to prevent the whole bunch from being spoiled.
Let me explain -
Take a look at a population of apples that have fallen not too far from the tree (pun intended).
If you look closely enough, you'll find a few apples that are rotten to the core, a few apples that are perfectly good, and many apples with bumps, bruises and with varying degrees of imperfections.
This large group of imperfect apples could quickly turn bad without someone intervening to prevent their deterioration. And if you look even further, you'll also find that this apple analogy also describes the human population, and how human beings behave.
Just like the population of apples, there will always be a small percentage of straight-out, wholly-selfish, psychopathic, rotten-to-the-core criminals who are unable to control their emotions and will do anything to get what they want, including behaving in inhumane ways.
Oppositely, there will also always be a small percentage of unselfish, compassionate, altruistic, and perfectly unblemished human beings who have absolute control over their emotions and will always behave in ways that best serve the entire population as a whole.
And then there's the rest of us -
We're the largest percentage of the population - imperfect, battered, and bruised people who may not always understand or care how our behaviors might affect others, have varying degrees of control over our emotions, and sometimes behave inappropriately.
Most of us vacillate between the light side and the dark side of our behaviors. It's only after the scales tip to the dark side for the majority of us, when the whole population becomes rotten.
So as you can see, a few bad apples won't spoil the bunch. They're easy to spot. It's when most of the bruised apples go bad that the entire bunch is ruined. Identifying them requires a closer look.
------
If history has proven anything, it's that human beings cannot control their emotions, and will behave in ways that satisfy those uncontrolled emotions. When viewed as a whole, more than a few people will tend to act selfishly and cannot be freely entrusted to do what's best, or safe, for the whole.
And THAT'S why we need regulation. If an enterprise has the capability of harming a large percentage of the population, then someone else needs to be looking over their shoulder to ensure they don't.
Don't believe the growing percentage of criminals who "call themselves" Republicans or Libertarians when they say that Government needs to stay out of their business. They're trying to manipulate your bruised and battered mind into enabling their crimes, and to turn you into a bad apple.
America is a Republic. We're a society founded upon, and governed by, laws, rules, and regulations created precisely to protect it's members from the rotten apples intent on harming us. As such, we Americans should expect regulation and welcome it when it's needed.
But, trying to get the politically-appointed regulators to enforce the rules fairly? That's another rant.
But, it wasn't until just yesterday, after discussing the topic of "regulation" when I started to give it more thought and realized that this phrase isn't accurate. If anything, the exact opposite is true - there are only a few good apples in the bunch, trying to prevent the whole bunch from being spoiled.
Let me explain -
Take a look at a population of apples that have fallen not too far from the tree (pun intended).
If you look closely enough, you'll find a few apples that are rotten to the core, a few apples that are perfectly good, and many apples with bumps, bruises and with varying degrees of imperfections.
This large group of imperfect apples could quickly turn bad without someone intervening to prevent their deterioration. And if you look even further, you'll also find that this apple analogy also describes the human population, and how human beings behave.
Just like the population of apples, there will always be a small percentage of straight-out, wholly-selfish, psychopathic, rotten-to-the-core criminals who are unable to control their emotions and will do anything to get what they want, including behaving in inhumane ways.
Oppositely, there will also always be a small percentage of unselfish, compassionate, altruistic, and perfectly unblemished human beings who have absolute control over their emotions and will always behave in ways that best serve the entire population as a whole.
And then there's the rest of us -
We're the largest percentage of the population - imperfect, battered, and bruised people who may not always understand or care how our behaviors might affect others, have varying degrees of control over our emotions, and sometimes behave inappropriately.
Most of us vacillate between the light side and the dark side of our behaviors. It's only after the scales tip to the dark side for the majority of us, when the whole population becomes rotten.
So as you can see, a few bad apples won't spoil the bunch. They're easy to spot. It's when most of the bruised apples go bad that the entire bunch is ruined. Identifying them requires a closer look.
------
If history has proven anything, it's that human beings cannot control their emotions, and will behave in ways that satisfy those uncontrolled emotions. When viewed as a whole, more than a few people will tend to act selfishly and cannot be freely entrusted to do what's best, or safe, for the whole.
And THAT'S why we need regulation. If an enterprise has the capability of harming a large percentage of the population, then someone else needs to be looking over their shoulder to ensure they don't.
Don't believe the growing percentage of criminals who "call themselves" Republicans or Libertarians when they say that Government needs to stay out of their business. They're trying to manipulate your bruised and battered mind into enabling their crimes, and to turn you into a bad apple.
America is a Republic. We're a society founded upon, and governed by, laws, rules, and regulations created precisely to protect it's members from the rotten apples intent on harming us. As such, we Americans should expect regulation and welcome it when it's needed.
But, trying to get the politically-appointed regulators to enforce the rules fairly? That's another rant.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Young And Restless Supervision
One of my personal shortcomings is that I refuse to unnecessarily justify myself to anyone else, especially having to explain myself without cause to my supervisors. The way I see it, if you're foolish enough to listen to false gossip without speaking to me directly beforehand, I'm going to consider you to be one of the numerous morons running the show, and I'll never support your efforts.
My attitude may seem self-destructive, but I think it's pretty simple. Ask me anything you want and I'll tell you the truth. But, you're going to have to ask me first. I'm not going to explain myself based upon someone else's lies, especially if you don't dig deeper for the truth and automatically believe rumors.
It sounds like such a simple task to expect that my leaders investigate both sides of a story before making a decision. But, you wouldn't believe how often they fail to do so in the workplace. It's almost like they want to believe in the dirt in order to serve their own personal agenda.. like a bad soap opera.
But, don't just take my word for it. Watch my young and restless ex-wife and my former supervisor caught on hidden home video, and you can see for yourself. People will almost always do what they think is in their own best interests, including bosses, and especially when it come to sex.
My attitude may seem self-destructive, but I think it's pretty simple. Ask me anything you want and I'll tell you the truth. But, you're going to have to ask me first. I'm not going to explain myself based upon someone else's lies, especially if you don't dig deeper for the truth and automatically believe rumors.
It sounds like such a simple task to expect that my leaders investigate both sides of a story before making a decision. But, you wouldn't believe how often they fail to do so in the workplace. It's almost like they want to believe in the dirt in order to serve their own personal agenda.. like a bad soap opera.
But, don't just take my word for it. Watch my young and restless ex-wife and my former supervisor caught on hidden home video, and you can see for yourself. People will almost always do what they think is in their own best interests, including bosses, and especially when it come to sex.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Ricki Lake Thinks I'm Fly
Except for my man, Jerry Fahrni, I don't get much feedback or linkage from other pharmacists, or bloggers who "call" themselves pharmacists. It seems as though they think I'm anti-pharmacy and refuse to acknowledge my existence in hopes that I'll disappear from the blogosphere.
Personally, I think they refuse to acknowledge me and my blog because I speak the truth about the profession, they're afraid I'm right about my views and opinions, and what I have to say scares them.
It seems to me that they prefer pharmacy bloggers who sit around the campfire in a circle-jerk while singing Kumbaya and telling each other how great they are, and how much their patients suck, while their profession is slowly being stolen away from them. But, that's just my opinion.
So, I wasn't fully caught off guard when I received a video email this Octoberfest from the anonymous blogger who calls himself "The Redheaded" pharmacist, telling me what he/she thinks of my efforts.
Luckily for me, both Ricki Lake and the Plan-B girls (Camila, Cryselle, Errin, Jolivette, Kariva, Levora, Seasonique, Trinessa, and Yasmin) still think I'm fly.
Personally, I think they refuse to acknowledge me and my blog because I speak the truth about the profession, they're afraid I'm right about my views and opinions, and what I have to say scares them.
It seems to me that they prefer pharmacy bloggers who sit around the campfire in a circle-jerk while singing Kumbaya and telling each other how great they are, and how much their patients suck, while their profession is slowly being stolen away from them. But, that's just my opinion.
So, I wasn't fully caught off guard when I received a video email this Octoberfest from the anonymous blogger who calls himself "The Redheaded" pharmacist, telling me what he/she thinks of my efforts.
Luckily for me, both Ricki Lake and the Plan-B girls (Camila, Cryselle, Errin, Jolivette, Kariva, Levora, Seasonique, Trinessa, and Yasmin) still think I'm fly.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Don't Sign That Contract
Because I was one myself, I understand the excitement that many newer pharmacists experience when first entering the world of pharmacy and healthcare.
You've worked hard to achieve your goals and sacrificed financially for many years. Now that you've accomplished your goals, you're extremely motivated to pursue your dreams and take advantage of the many opportunities that are presented to you. You can't wait to get started.
But be aware. For every motivated and altruistic new pharmacist that enters the profession, there are just as many unscrupulous individuals, greedy "colleagues", or corporate minions counting on your motivation in order to exploit you.
These unscrupulous individuals understand that high intelligence is no protection from stupid behavior, and will stop at nothing to use your naivety against you. As much as they may smile, congratulate you, slap you on the back and blow smoke up your ass, they are NOT your friends. To them, you're just fresh meat on the street.
Don't be fooled by promises or dollar signs, and sign something that you may regret later on. There's a reason why they want you to sign a secrecy-agreement, an employment contract, or some other document relinquishing your rights as a condition of employment. And it's not to protect you.
However, don't just take my word for it. See what Dr. Victor DeNoble has experienced.
Source: Addiction Incorporated
You've worked hard to achieve your goals and sacrificed financially for many years. Now that you've accomplished your goals, you're extremely motivated to pursue your dreams and take advantage of the many opportunities that are presented to you. You can't wait to get started.
But be aware. For every motivated and altruistic new pharmacist that enters the profession, there are just as many unscrupulous individuals, greedy "colleagues", or corporate minions counting on your motivation in order to exploit you.
These unscrupulous individuals understand that high intelligence is no protection from stupid behavior, and will stop at nothing to use your naivety against you. As much as they may smile, congratulate you, slap you on the back and blow smoke up your ass, they are NOT your friends. To them, you're just fresh meat on the street.
Don't be fooled by promises or dollar signs, and sign something that you may regret later on. There's a reason why they want you to sign a secrecy-agreement, an employment contract, or some other document relinquishing your rights as a condition of employment. And it's not to protect you.
However, don't just take my word for it. See what Dr. Victor DeNoble has experienced.
Source: Addiction Incorporated
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Face The Nation | Penn State Panel
Guess which panelists are on the sports payroll and seem to be "toeing the corporate line"?
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Stay Out Of The System
Whenever you hear something in life that can be described as a "system", whether it be called the healthcare system, the political system, the judicial system, or something else, rest assured that it will always be imperfect, corrupt, and not something specifically-tailored to your individual needs.
Once you become part of any "system", you lose varying degrees of control over your life, and must turn over a portion of that control to other people who personally couldn't care less about you.
That's why it is IMPERATIVE in life to always keep your wits about you, and to think before you act. If you want to be happy and successful in life, you MUST learn to control your emotions and not let them control you. Stay out of the system!
Figure Father from Nomadique on Vimeo.
Once you become part of any "system", you lose varying degrees of control over your life, and must turn over a portion of that control to other people who personally couldn't care less about you.
That's why it is IMPERATIVE in life to always keep your wits about you, and to think before you act. If you want to be happy and successful in life, you MUST learn to control your emotions and not let them control you. Stay out of the system!
Figure Father from Nomadique on Vimeo.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It's A Jungle Out There
Ran into the ex-wife again at the grocery store. Seems as though she had some "work" done and somehow thinks I should foot some of the bill. Like she doesn't already have enough money.
Of course, we got into an argument again and her dark side quickly became visible to all the other shoppers. It's a jungle out there young men. Be very careful. A leopard is capable of changing it's spots these days. With her new looks, I'm sure she'll find another victim soon enough.
Of course, we got into an argument again and her dark side quickly became visible to all the other shoppers. It's a jungle out there young men. Be very careful. A leopard is capable of changing it's spots these days. With her new looks, I'm sure she'll find another victim soon enough.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Are You Hooked?
Kids, drugs are bad. And I'm not talking about that unlikely-to-be addictive marijuana or the often abused alcohol. I'm talking about the highly-addictive stuff that's even worse than nicotine, heroin, crack cocaine, prescription drugs, or even meth!
I'm talking about the life-ruining shit millions of people get hooked on every single day -
Source: Laugh Factory
I'm talking about the life-ruining shit millions of people get hooked on every single day -
Source: Laugh Factory
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Dark Side Of Enabling
In the wake of the tragic and preventable death of Whitney Houston, I thought I would share this video link from the article entitled "Risen from the gutter, he whispers hope to Hollywood's junkies" on CNN.
Truthfully, I can't identify with Bob Forrest, am not sure (except for his being a former addict) what makes him an authority on the subject, and don't fully agree with his opinions - but a lot of other people seem to value his opinions, and he provides a good "behind the scenes" story.
It's a celebration of the negative -- and a constant dance in Hollywood, if headlines are any indication. In the end, only the addict can control how the journey ends. But along the way, there is no shortage of enablers. And - if you ask my opinion - there would be MUCH LESS of the tragedy and heartache associated with drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse if there was much less enabling going on.
Truthfully, I can't identify with Bob Forrest, am not sure (except for his being a former addict) what makes him an authority on the subject, and don't fully agree with his opinions - but a lot of other people seem to value his opinions, and he provides a good "behind the scenes" story.
It's a celebration of the negative -- and a constant dance in Hollywood, if headlines are any indication. In the end, only the addict can control how the journey ends. But along the way, there is no shortage of enablers. And - if you ask my opinion - there would be MUCH LESS of the tragedy and heartache associated with drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse if there was much less enabling going on.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Teenage Mothers: Not Just Nine Months Of Trouble
I was just reading the January 20th edition of the MMWR and was astounded to find, even with all of the easy access to safe-sex information and ways to prevent teenage pregnancies available to our youth, that approximately 400,000 teens aged 15–19 years give birth every year in the United States.
Data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System collected in nineteen states during 2004–2008 indicated that among teens aged 15–19 years who became pregnant unintentionally and gave birth to a live infant, 50.1% reported doing nothing to prevent pregnancy.
Of these pregnant teens, 31.4% thought they could not get pregnant at the time, 23.6% did not use contraception because their partner did not want to use it, and 22.1% did not mind getting pregnant. In the five states that asked about prepregnancy contraceptive methods, only 21.0% of these teens used a highly effective method of birth control, and 24.2% used the moderately effective method of condoms. These data offer insights about teens who give birth and face the risks of early childbearing, a critically important subset of all teens who have had sexual intercourse.
What's more shocking is that these numbers continues to climb, and the United States now leads the developed world in unintended teenage pregnancies. And this is dated information over four years old that also doesn't include teens under fifteen years of age, or teens from ALL states! Who knows what the numbers could be now? If teens from Arizona and the other border states were included in the data, I'd bet the numbers would be even higher. Just personally, I've seen dozens of 12-14 year old girls admitted to the hospital for childbirth. How tragic is that?
Here's an earlier press release addressing the problem -
Data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System collected in nineteen states during 2004–2008 indicated that among teens aged 15–19 years who became pregnant unintentionally and gave birth to a live infant, 50.1% reported doing nothing to prevent pregnancy.
Of these pregnant teens, 31.4% thought they could not get pregnant at the time, 23.6% did not use contraception because their partner did not want to use it, and 22.1% did not mind getting pregnant. In the five states that asked about prepregnancy contraceptive methods, only 21.0% of these teens used a highly effective method of birth control, and 24.2% used the moderately effective method of condoms. These data offer insights about teens who give birth and face the risks of early childbearing, a critically important subset of all teens who have had sexual intercourse.
What's more shocking is that these numbers continues to climb, and the United States now leads the developed world in unintended teenage pregnancies. And this is dated information over four years old that also doesn't include teens under fifteen years of age, or teens from ALL states! Who knows what the numbers could be now? If teens from Arizona and the other border states were included in the data, I'd bet the numbers would be even higher. Just personally, I've seen dozens of 12-14 year old girls admitted to the hospital for childbirth. How tragic is that?
Here's an earlier press release addressing the problem -
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Turning A Blind Eye
I recently watched the movie, Sleepers, and it got me to thinking about those sorry-ass human beings at Penn State who turned a blind eye, or passed the buck, after witnessing or becoming aware of the alleged rape of young boys being perpetrated at their "institute of higher education".
I keep thinking of how those brave, strong, heroic athlete-types must have cowered in fear of losing their jobs or being blackballed if they didn't turn a blind eye to their leader's alleged depraved crimes.
I keep thinking of how college students, our future leaders, could possibly dismiss such horrendous crimes and then support the alleged perpetrators by rioting after they were brought to justice.
I keep thinking what's in store for those young boys as a result of allegedly being continuously raped for years because everyone selfishly turned a blind to the abuse?
But even worse, I keep thinking of the image of our society those young boys must have had in their minds while they were being abused, and when they realized that their "heroes" dismissed them as being an expendable part of the business of college football.
I wonder if those abused young boys envision the same bright future for themselves as the rioting college students do, or if they'll instead turn to violence or drugs in order to treat their "collegiately-damaged" sense of self-worth? What do you think?
I keep thinking of how those brave, strong, heroic athlete-types must have cowered in fear of losing their jobs or being blackballed if they didn't turn a blind eye to their leader's alleged depraved crimes.
I keep thinking of how college students, our future leaders, could possibly dismiss such horrendous crimes and then support the alleged perpetrators by rioting after they were brought to justice.
I keep thinking what's in store for those young boys as a result of allegedly being continuously raped for years because everyone selfishly turned a blind to the abuse?
But even worse, I keep thinking of the image of our society those young boys must have had in their minds while they were being abused, and when they realized that their "heroes" dismissed them as being an expendable part of the business of college football.
I wonder if those abused young boys envision the same bright future for themselves as the rioting college students do, or if they'll instead turn to violence or drugs in order to treat their "collegiately-damaged" sense of self-worth? What do you think?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
A Cynical View Of Pharmacy
It seems as though there are more than a few pharmacists upset with Medco CEO's recent opinions about the role that community pharmacists play in healthcare. Snow was reported as saying -
To me, becoming upset and trying to convince other pharmacists to rally against Snow's opinions is like a child trying to get his siblings to rebel against their parents. It only cements the fact that we've allowed them authority over us, and further proves that they control our actions. So then, by taking this route, why wouldn't Snow have such a low opinion of us?
To corporate insiders whose pay and bonuses depends upon improving the bottom line, pharmacists are considered expensive liabilities that need to be eliminated. Of course they will try to reduce our professional credibility if it'll help them achieve their goals. That's how they roll. It should be expected. Just like George Carlin described in his American Dream routine, "they don't give a fuck about you".
The way I see it, either accept the fact that corporations will always view you as being an "employee" instead of a "professional" and live with it, or fight against it by refusing to work for them. Saying "NO" with our feet is the only real power we have.
In an attempt to demystify that role, Medco CEO David Snow told attendees at the Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Innovation Summit last week that pharmacists are not in fact doling out health information to patients. “I’m not dissing retail [pharmacy], but…there’s a fiction that a pharmacist comes out and dialogues with you,” said Snow. “In reality, a high school student hands you a script from the shelf.”But, I'm not sure why pharmacists are "now" becoming upset with the opinions of a mega-corporate CEO? Are they upset with Snow finally just coming out and "saying" it? I mean, it can't be like they didn't already know what he, and probably many other corporate insiders, think about the profession of pharmacy just based on their treatment of pharmacists over past decades. Their actions seem to speak louder than any words ever could.
To me, becoming upset and trying to convince other pharmacists to rally against Snow's opinions is like a child trying to get his siblings to rebel against their parents. It only cements the fact that we've allowed them authority over us, and further proves that they control our actions. So then, by taking this route, why wouldn't Snow have such a low opinion of us?
To corporate insiders whose pay and bonuses depends upon improving the bottom line, pharmacists are considered expensive liabilities that need to be eliminated. Of course they will try to reduce our professional credibility if it'll help them achieve their goals. That's how they roll. It should be expected. Just like George Carlin described in his American Dream routine, "they don't give a fuck about you".
The way I see it, either accept the fact that corporations will always view you as being an "employee" instead of a "professional" and live with it, or fight against it by refusing to work for them. Saying "NO" with our feet is the only real power we have.
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Interview
It's a tough economy and you've allowed yourself to get into a position where your debt load now leads you into desperation. The pressure is on, now what are you going to do?
How far would you allow yourself to be manipulated by an employer just so you can be underpaid, overworked, unappreciated, and abused by someone who views you simply as a dispensable liability?
The Interview (2011) from Bursteardrum on Vimeo.
How far would you allow yourself to be manipulated by an employer just so you can be underpaid, overworked, unappreciated, and abused by someone who views you simply as a dispensable liability?
The Interview (2011) from Bursteardrum on Vimeo.
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