The Town Hall Archives

Jared · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 5:56 pm Post subject:

Okay, some clarifications.

Police and fire are government, I agree, but people in those branches don't refer to their work as "government work." They are employed by the state, but when a person says they work in "government," this is rarely what they mean. And they don't even ever use the term "that is all" in police/fire/etc unless they are a dispatcher.

On the antibiotics prescription thing, you definitely know a lot about the issue involved, but I believe you missed the key point of the previous discussion: KNOWINGLY. Sometimes doctors are lazy, yes, and that's a problem -- deserving of you either demanding more or looking for another doctor. But in a case like that, it's hardly criminal negligence and it is definitely not knowingly prescribing the wrong medication.

On the last issue, I must apologize for very, very poor wording. I said something completely different than what I meant and now I feel rather dumb about the whole thing. Perfectly safe is definitely not the correct way to describe medical treatments that can, as you say, often have many side effects and cause many problems. However, my goal in that argument, before making that poorly-thought-out comment, is that the drugs are rigorously tested by the FDA, not the doctor. Patients are subjected to SOME risk, of course. The field of medicine is not perfect. But they are not used as "gineau pigs" by doctors wanting to try out a new potential cure, or at least not without previous FDA tests and their full understanding and agreement to take it despite risks.

Have their been physicians who have prescribed drugs that are still test-stage without their patient's approval? I'm sure that there have. But that's a criminal offense with or without a "patient's bill of rights."

Jeremy · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 7:48 pm Post subject:

Dave · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 9:07 pm Post subject:

I think people are composing too much long post on this thread, JARED AND JEREMY!

This started out as a nice mayoral speach, finished out talking about medication. Boy, the things we can accomplish be writing long posts!

Does anyone, apart from Jared and Jeremy, read those long posts? I know I sure don't!

Coralfish · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 10:07 pm Post subject:

Yes, actually I do read most of the long debates. However, by the time I am finished, there is no time to reply! Wink

hawkeye · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 12:14 am Post subject:

I read most of them.

A few notes...

The FDA is a government organization intended to protect people from obvious hazards, but as government goes, it doesnt always do what it should. Aspartane is one such issue. The story goes that the company that makes aspartane is a huge funder of the FDA. I do think there is a fair bit of truth to the alleged dangers of aspartane.

Doctors do, too often prescribe antibiotics for viral diseases, but the main reason is because so many patients insist the doctor do so, and if the doctor does not prescribe something, the patient feels like the doctor did nothing. However, doctors are starting to cut back on this habit as this has attributed to the superbugs (anti biotic resistant bacteria).

As for experimental drugs, patients basicly have to sign their lives away to get within 5 feet of the stuff, as the doctors and the hospitals and the drug maker dont want any liability if the drug should cause some undeterminable side affect or other adverse reaction. Families now days look for anyway to make a quick buck, especially when a family member dies or has some other issue.

Dave · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 12:41 am Post subject:

Well you don't have to get involved!

Coralfish Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 10:07 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, actually I do read most of the long debates. However, by the time I am finished, there is no time to reply!

That is what I know would happen with me. I figure it's just a huge waste of time to write 'em and read 'em. It's nice that most people on this board are good at "keeping it short."

Rachael Blackgaard · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 8:18 am Post subject:

I tend to get in trouble for posting short...

In ODYSSEY, I'm married to Regis. Actually, it was his twin brother that was going out with the mayor, but now Edwin is married to Felicity and will be a father in about two and a half months : - ) I was going to run for mayor to try to hold Odyssey hostage until Carl Lordwell and Michael Morbridle handed over the stolen computer files, to save me a trip to Egypt, but now it looks like I don't have a choice... : - (
I thought it was a nice speech too, but maybe better suited to a president. Some people really take pretend politics too far.

Respectahobbit · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 8:22 am Post subject:

I don't think you should have made the no option so harsh.. Embarassed

Hehe are you planning to really take over the world? Twisted Evil

Lol that'll be funny.

Rachael Blackgaard · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 8:55 am Post subject:

Believe it or not, I'm not as interested in World Domination as Regis is. I just want to recover some stolen computer files for the NSA, which will help me find out which virus Miriam has.

Dave · Posted: Fri May 23, 2003 11:51 pm Post subject:

Really? tell us more about this mission.

Yes, some people take this too seriosuly. Including you!