Unbelievably silly news from Spain at the World Congress of Cardiology has just been released.? After someone has had a "Cardiac event" they are planning to treat these poor unsuspecting heart disease patients with a drug that contains the cholesterol-lowering agent, blood pressure pill and aspirin.? Nevermind that compounding pharmacists can customize medications today that meet precise needs of each patient.? I can make a phone call and have all the medications I need for a patient packed together in one pill (I guess you could call this a "polypill."? In fact for many women I mix hormones in precise amounts according to their lab studies to meet their exact targets.? Of course, you can't mass-market that approach to a "polypill."
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Keep your eye on the money and where it can be made.? They are willing to produce this pill from drugs that are "out-of-patent."? That sounds pretty fair-minded and reasonable.? Unfortunately, they will probably fire up a new patent for the combination that gives them a significant royalty stream and exclusive right to sell and market for years.? This would be for prevention of new problems in everyone who had a previous heart attack or similar event.? That would fall into the category of "Pretty good work if you can get it!"
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On top of that they are suggesting that government get involved in regulating portion size and food choice.? Spare me!? I had a mom and dad and ignored them too often already.? I don't need to go through?all that again.? Trans-fats aren't good for anyone ever as far as I'm concerned.? Labeling should be demanded by the consumer, not required by the government.? Don't those bureaucratic types have enough meddling to do already?
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Nonetheless, keep your eye on the better recommendations that came out of the same meeting that focused on a 16-week intervention of diet and activity that included the patient and their partner.? Great results that would compare to drug interventions were found.? The nay-sayers complained that insurance would be unlikely to pay for such a program under the United States Medicare plan.? So What?!!!? If it can save your life, do it yourself.? Work delivering pizzas for a couple of months for "God's sake" and get healthy.? It's not ever going to be possible for the government to regulate and pay for all that we'll need to be healthy.
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How about a government funded back-rub program?? Sound good?? Why not? If it seems ludicrous to expect backrubs to be paid for by someone else (the government) it should be equally ridiculous to expect the government to make food choices for you and pay for information and counsel that is readily available for free at the library or on the internet.? Why not form local groups like the highly successful A.A. program that helps alcoholics to quit self-destructive behaviors.? That's about as close to free as I can imagine.? That means that if I take really good care of myself I may have to pay for the care of only those I am truly responsible for:
- My wife
- My kids
- My mom
- Church members and other family
Simple, isn't it?? Let's keep it that way!
