Tag: Ethics

When Supplements “Work”. . .EZVille, Ltd – Where Health & Safety are Important-ish

The Universe is a funny place, full of bizarre coincidences. Like, for example, did you know that every single “dietary supplement” with an undeclared drug ingredient that we have covered in our When Supplements “Work”. . . feature so far has contained, among all the drugs in the world, a regulated drug that treats exactly the same condition that the supplement claims to treat? What are the odds?

This week we get a double whammy from EZVille, Ltd. EZVille, Ltd. has issued a recall of Revivexxx (one guess what that is supposed to “revive”) and Solo Slim. Revivexxx is a male sexual enhancement supplement (DSHEA code for treating erectile dysfunction), which was found to contain the erectile dysfunction pharmaceutical tadalafil (marketed using a series of creepy commericals under the brand name Cialis). Tadalafil is known to have potentially dangerous interactions with medications containing nitrates, such as those taken for heart disease. Solo Slim is a weight loss supplement, which was found to contain the appetite suppressant didesmethyl sibutramine. Sibutramine can increase blood pressure and heart rate putting individuals at risk for stroke and other cardiovascular issues at greater risk.

Individuals for whom tadalafil and sibutramine are not viable therapeutic options due to interacting medications or underlying medical issues may be more likely to seek out these alternative products to avoid side effects. The undeclared presence of these drugs in these supplements exposes these “at risk” individuals to these potentially dangerous side effects without their knowledge, unarguably a worse situation than if they had knowingly been prescribed these medications under the observation of a trained health care professional. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .EZVille, Ltd – Where Health & Safety are Important-ish”

In which British papers call sick kids sluts and I get mad. . .

According to the UK press, the foggy isle is being overrun by 11 year old tramps.

Dr. Petra Boynton has the definitive take down of this clap-trap on her blog.

The UK appears afflicted by ‘soaring’ numbers of sexually active girls, who lie to parents, enabled by GPs.

Is it accurate?

No.

Continue reading “In which British papers call sick kids sluts and I get mad. . .”

When Supplements “Work”. . .Viagra, uh wait, I mean XXTreme

FDA notified consumers that lab analysis of lots of ejaculoid XXTREME and stimuloid II found that the products, sold as dietary supplements, contain sulfoaildenafil, similar to sildenafil, which is an active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug for male erectile dysfunction, making these products unapproved drugs. – FDA Medatch (emphasis added)

The drug has documented side effects from clinical trials and post-approval monitoring that is standard for pharmaceuticals. It also is not appropriate for people with certain other conditions, like high blood pressure, or in combination with other drugs, like nitroglycerin. These negative effects cannot be avoided if one does not know that this drug is in the supplement, especially considering that individuals for whom sildenafil (and analogs) is not a safe treatment are likely customers for these types of supplement. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .Viagra, uh wait, I mean XXTreme”

When Supplements “Work”. . .or Have You Drink Bleach

FDA warned consumers not to consume or use Miracle Mineral Solution, an oral liquid solution also known as “Miracle Mineral Supplement” or “MMS.” The product, when used as directed, produces an industrial bleach that can cause serious harm to health. The product instructs consumers to mix the 28 percent sodium chlorite solution with an acid such as citrus juice. This mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment. High oral doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labeling, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.- FDA Medwatch (emphasis added)

Miracle Mineral Solution claims to be a panacea that can treat many, unrelated ailments like HIV and the common cold. This not only puts the individual at risk due to neglect of effective treatments, but also has them drink BLEACH. Continue reading “When Supplements “Work”. . .or Have You Drink Bleach”

Pink Ladies

I had a military history professor once spend the better part of a lecture explain to us that a sovereign nation is defined by the control of force within its territory. But what happens when a nation does not or will not regulate the use of coercive force within its borders? What if it allows certain individuals to physically abuse or use their positions of authority to take advantages of others?

Well, if you are a woman in rural India, you might join the Pink Sari Gang.

Slate has a fascinating story about gulabis — gangs of women in rural India who wear pink saris seeking justice for abused wives. 40-year old Sampat Pal Devi started the movement with a few friends in 2006. They began by visiting a few husbands who refused to stop beating their wives, intimidating them into changing their minds by brandishing bamboo sticks. The movement now has more than 200,000 members; Pal travels from village to village on a bicycle to keep the momentum going. – Lisa Katayama at Boing Boing

Far from supporting widespread vigilantism, I do find it difficult to deny people the right to band together to defend their human dignity when that responsibility is abdicated by the authorities.

It will be interesting to see how this increasingly powerful organization develops as the transition from a provider of social justice to a group ignored by “legitimate” authorities to a group that uses their capacity for organized violence to coerce others is a line that has occurred frequently in history.

Whether the Pink Sari Gang follows the example of the incorruptible Batman or kingpin Vito Corleone, I’m eagerly awaiting the Pink Sari gangster movie directed by Quentin Tarantino.

*For you heathens, the title is a reference to the female gang/clique from Grease.