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FDA is "Virtually Incapable of Protecting You From Unsafe Drugs" Most people are familiar with the scrupulous claims against the FDA's inability to protect Americans from unsafe drugs. It has been an issue flooding the headlines of newspapers and the nightly news for the past few months. Accusations against the FDA started when Merck was pulled Vioxx from the market in 2004. Apparently the FDA had been aware of the drug's adverse side effects as early as 1999. Since Vioxx's removal, other drugs have been placed under the microscope and the agency's credibility has been questioned. One FDA drug safety reviewer, Dr. David Graham, told a Congressional panel that federal drug regulators were "virtually incapable of protecting America." Previously "Approved" Drugs in Question Crestor (cholesterol-lowering drug): Causes acute kidney failure Bextra (painkiller): Increases risk of heart attack in those undergoing cardiac surgery and may also cause a fatal skin reaction Meridia (weight-loss pill): Causes substantial increases in blood pressure and has been associated with 124 reports of serious cardiovascular problems Serevent (asthma medication): Increases risk of asthma-related deaths and life-threatening episodes Accutane (acne drug): Causes birth defects The director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research opposed Graham's accusations; arguing Graham's findings and numbers "constitute junk science" and were nonetheless "irresponsible." The director continued on by stating that all of the agency's decisions and drugs are not only safe but also effective. New York Times November 19, 2004 Dr. Mercola's Comment: As it so vividly obvious, conventional medicine is entering a terminal phase. That is why it is so important to take a stance now. For the past few months I have been seeing seven new patients every day that see me from all over the country. Many have very serious diseases and are on multiple medications. In nearly every case we are able to develop a plan to help wean them off of all their medications and become symptom free. This is not an ad for my clinic, as there are many outstanding natural medicine clinicians that can provide similar services. The point is to get you off these dangerous medications before they kill you and seek competent professional help if you require that. The Vioxx scandal is a perfect example. Tens of thousands of people needlessly died so that Merck could make a few billion extra dollars. Conventional healthcare slowly but surely progressed into a nasty disease; which now is at a rapid progression towards death. This "disease" is caused by: Rampant conflict of interest Tainted research and greed Lying and cheating by the morally bankrupt drug industry Inept federal and state regulators Unfortunately, one of the most prominent article on this site is "Doctors are the Third Leading Cause of Death." Well that article was written in 2000 and (based on a variety of newer references) doctors are in fact the LEADING cause of death in this country. Not heart disease, not cancer -- doctors. In all fairness, doctors themselves are not to blame for all of this. The entire modern health care system, however, is to blame for allowing, even promoting, so many unnecessary procedures, DRUGS and mishaps. This illustrates precisely why the system is so desperately in need of change, and why facilitating this change is, and will continue to be, such a substantial portion of my vision. You can eliminate your "need" for drugs with these two factors -- monitor the foods you put into your body and address your emotional well being. These factors have absolutely everything to do with building your immune system and avoiding unnecessary pharmaceuticals. This is no "quick fix," but rather is a lifestyle change that will be well worth the effort. To fully understand the details of these factors, I highly recommend getting my Total Health Program, as this book will allow you to realize the action needed to set you free from the "pill-taking" life and give you ultimate control of your health.
