Miscellaneous

• 60 Minutes' Trasylol Report Is Shocking!

  Dan Frith | February 18, 2008 9:41 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  My wife and I watch the CBS Show "60 Minutes" almost every week. We enjoy the more in-depth news stories provided by the show as opposed to the 30 seconds per story coverage often provided by the evening news stories.Last night was interesting...but a story on Bayer Pharmaceutical Corporation's product called "Trasylol" had me seeing red!Trasylol is a medication which was designed to reduce...

• Old Age, not for wimps!

  Lauren Ellerman | February 13, 2008 2:09 PM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Please read this article featured in the Washington Post a few weeks ago, By Marie-Therese Connolly"As though declining health, impending mortality and other challenges weren't hard enough, too often old age is also plagued by abuse, neglect and exploitation.Science has extended our lives dramatically: In 1900, Americans' average life expectancy was 47. By 2000, it was 77, and it's still rising....

• Congress May End Mandatory Arbitration for Consumers

  Dan Frith | February 12, 2008 10:50 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  I cannot express how unfair and biased mandatory arbitration is for American consumers! It seems that every purchase order for a TV, refrigerator, used car, or other product contains language which prevents you (the consumer) from holding the seller/manufacturer responsible for their defective products through our legal system. Instead of filing a lawsuit and having your claim heard by a jury...

• Doctors With Financial Incentives Tell FDA To Approve Device

  Dan Frith | February 08, 2008 9:19 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Last week the New York Times published an article about surgeons who had conducted clinical research leading to the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Prodisc, an artificial spinal disk for the lower back. It appears that doctors at about half of the 17 research centers involved in the research stood to profit if the Prodisc was approved, according to confidential information from a...

• Fraternity Hazing: It Still Happens

  Dan Frith | February 05, 2008 6:09 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  My wife and I have two sons - the oldest is a sophomore in college and the youngest a junior in high school. The oldest is enjoying college and is doing a good job academically. He seems to have adjusted to "college life" (whatever that means) and has joined a fraternity. Fraternity's can be a very positive part of college life but it can also spell trouble!First, let me say I was a...

• Doctor Leaks Information to Pharmaceutical Giant

  Dan Frith | February 03, 2008 1:26 PM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Well...what did you expect? Big Pharma doesn't pay doctors thousands of dollars and provide them with free trips, lunches, and dinners and expect nothing in return. I just assumed the only thing Big Pharma wanted in return was for the doctors to prescribe their drugs whether or not those drugs where the best and least expensive medication to treat the doctors' patients. But...it appears Big...

• The Stella Awards(2)

  Dan Frith | February 01, 2008 1:24 PM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Sure you have heard about them...the Stella Awards! The awards are named after that lady who recovered millions of dollars from McDonald's after spilling coffee in her lap! The award draws needed attention to the thousands of frivilous lawsuits filed every year by unscruptulous plaintiffs and their greedy lawyers! But, do you know the real truth? I bet not!The "Stella Awards" is a collection...

• Hospital To-Do List Saves Lives

  Dan Frith | January 31, 2008 6:46 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  I rarely read Jane Brody's syndicated column from the New York Times but a recent article caught my attention. The article was entitled, "A Basic Hospital To-Do List Saves Lives of Patients." Being a medical malpractice attorney who represents victims of medical negligence...this title caught my eye!The article suggested five simple steps in dealing with patients with a central venous catheter...

• ELY LILLY - Good year?

  Lauren Ellerman | January 30, 2008 9:03 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  This morning the Wall Street Journal reports ("Eli Lilly Sales Exceed Forecast By PETER LOFTUS)"Eli Lilly & Co. reported that fourth-quarter profit soared, as increased sales of drugs for mental illness and cancer helped boost revenue above expectations.""For now, Lilly seems to be free of some of the problems that are plaguing other pharmaceutical companies, such as generic competition for top...

• POOR CARE FOR OUR VETS

  Lauren Ellerman | January 29, 2008 11:05 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Anyone hear the news this morning - VA Hospital in Illinois my have caused 19 deaths and 36 injuries.. I wish I was surprised. I am not. Here in Southwest Virginia, there is a VA hospital - where we have learned a practicing surgeon is performing surgeries, after local hospital denied priviliges due to substance abuse. Don't our VETs deserve better? Shouldn't they return home to the best medical...