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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> U.S. Senate shows its stripes
        
(Message started by: burnt-toast on May 10^th, 2007, 8:33am)

Title: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by burnt-toast on May 10^th, 2007, 8:33am

Citing safety and quality concerns the U.S. Senate killed a bill on Monday to permit imports of prescription drugs projected to save U.S. consumers 2/3’s over domestic medications.

Now consider that U.S. food imports ($65 billion annually) have reached a level nearly equal to U.S. food exports ($70 billion annually). Just 1.3 percent of fish, vegetables, fruit and other food imports including ready to eat items are inspected, yet the miniscule percentage of food inspected, reveals food imports are regularly unfit for consumption but now account for approx. 13% of every American’s diet.

In March 2007 alone, the FDA detained nearly 850 shipments of grains, fish, vegetables, nuts, spice, oils and other imported foods for issues ranging from filth to unsafe food coloring to contamination with pesticides to salmonella. That’s with just 1.3 percent of the imports inspected. While the other 98.7 percent, is not inspected or detained and feeding Americans.

Now ever diligent, the Senate voices concerns with the safety of importing a specific product into U.S. markets. Once again the Pharmaceutical industry has proven itself the most powerful and well-funded lobby in Washington and legislators have proven they will dig deep to support those with cash to contribute.

Isn’t it a hoot - it’s “good for the economy” to import virtually everything into U.S. markets except prescription drugs. Loss of meaningful U.S. jobs, declining worker benefits/standard of living is just “good global competition”. Lack of port inspections, border security, the trillion $$$ trade deficit, and dangers of a tainted food supply are necessary to “share in the global economy”.

However, for the right price legislators will suddenly grow a conscience and completely go against every trade decision, law and “free trade” agreement they’ve pushed down our throats over the past 2 or 3 decades. What convenient hypocrisy.

Tom

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by chucknot on May 10^th, 2007, 9:04am

Well, that is said about as well as it could be said. Great summary.

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by catlind on May 10^th, 2007, 9:11am

And now you know why pharmco's are the real power. They literally have government's by the balls. When it was first suggested, GSK made the 'hint' that if it was allowed to go through they would pull up stakes and take their R&D over the pond.

Lots of money would have walked out the door if they meant it....

Sometimes I have to wonder just who is running the world...

Cat

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by BarbaraD on May 10^th, 2007, 10:45am

Quit wondering..... have you checked drug prices lately???

Hugs BD

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by Paul98 on May 10^th, 2007, 11:27am

Want to see how fast the script drug situation would change? If it were possible to make the congressmen have to wait to be seen at the Dr's office and then swing buy the pharmacy to have his script filled and then shell out some green for it...I would give it less that a week before a whole slew of meaningful changes happened.

Vote ALL of them out! ALL AT ONCE!

-P.

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on May 10^th, 2007, 11:32am

Is the first 100 hours over yet?
Remember, the new congress in town is gonna clean up in just the first 100 hours.

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by Brewcrew on May 10^th, 2007, 11:40am

on 05/10/07 at 09:11:19, catlind wrote:

Sometimes I have to wonder just who is running the world...

http://www.helena-sandberg.com/blog/uploaded_images/dr.strangelove-763806.jpg

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by JeffB on May 10^th, 2007, 12:53pm

Do'h! [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by thomas on May 10^th, 2007, 1:42pm

The sad part of the story is that it isn't shocking....... at all.

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by Brewcrew on May 10^th, 2007, 1:46pm

on 05/10/07 at 13:42:30, thomas wrote:

The sad part of the story is that it isn't shocking....... at all.

Which means they've got us right where they want us...
[smiley=furious.gif]

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by BarbaraD on May 10^th, 2007, 3:48pm

Yeah, I just came from the pharmacy -- $114 was MY CO-PAY on my topamax. Guess it's diet time this week!

But don't let this bother any of our elected officials -- they've got GOOD coverage that WE'RE paying for! Leave a warm cozy feeling in ya don't it?

Hugs BD

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by Charlie on May 10^th, 2007, 8:44pm

Sigh.....Sad to say, nothing is new. Bunch wimps.

Drug companies are evil. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/wild arms.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: U.S. Senate shows its stripes
Post by Paul98 on May 10^th, 2007, 8:55pm

on 05/10/07 at 20:44:19, Charlie wrote:

Sigh.....Sad to say, nothing is new. Bunch wimps.

Drug companies are evil. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/wild arms.gif

Charlie

It is not just the drug companys Charlie. I used to have a Dr. that would order the stuf from a drug wharehouse. 5 vials of trex was $35. At the same point in time many of the chain drugstores charged $75 for 1 vial! The drug stores get their supplies from the same drug wharehouses. (there are only a few in the US.) Who was making the profit?

I'm not saying ALL drug CO.'s are honest but they are not all to blame either. The problem lies in the drug industry as a whole. Lawyers, insurance comapnies, drug companies, drug store chains......

-P.