Hi Walt You raise some interesting questions. I can't shed any light on what's going on, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if drug companies wanted in on vitamins, etc. I take Chinese herbs, prescribed by my acupuncturist. They're pretty expensive as is...
And, in a related topic, I constantly debate the FDA approval process. Especiall for drugs like Endostatin, which could possibly help many cancer patients. On one hand, I understand wanting to make sure a drug actually works so that pharmaceutical companies aren't just selling 'snake oil.' On the other hand, for someone with nothing left to lose, is it ethical to deny them treatment that might help? (for example, if they don't quite fit in the parameters of a current study) And, in an odd twist, apparently a drug I was following was recently pulled from studies because the company went bankrupt! (The drug is IM 862 and it may be effective against ovarian cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma, although the second round of trials for KS were disappointing.) The drug is apparently available in Russia. And, finally (then I'll get off my soapbox) I don't like prescription drugs being advertised on TV. I'm inclined to think that controlled substances (that includes tobacco and alcohol) shouldn't be advertised. And does anyone have any idea what the new ad here in the U.S. is for - it shows the planets and asks "Does anyone know what's out there?" and answers "Your doctor does." B.S.!! lots of love Anne
