Off-Label Promotion Could Land Former Drug Executive In the Pokey

No doubt you have learned (or are learning) about off-label promotion of prescrition drugs. The FDA has become very aggressive in pursing charges against companies when they violate this prohibition. Typically, cases for off-label marketing are settled with the company paying a fine. In fact, in this case the company agreed to pay about $37 million in 2006 to settle charges related to its marketing, but they also went after the "head man" of the company. Although the executive was acquitted by the federal jury in San Francisco of a related charge of off-label marketing itself, known as “misbranding,” he was convicted of wire fraud.

Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The executive is free on bond awaiting sentencing. The bottom line? If you work for a drug company be careful about what you say!!

To learn who the executive was, who he worked for, and what drug was being promoted read the whole story in the New York times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/30drug.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Whose Birthday Is It?- September 30, 2009

Over the years, it has become customary for me to announce birthdays that I become aware of. Life could be simple and I could just wish these folks "happry birthday." But that wouldn't be in the tradition of our Pharmacotherapy "Sherlock Holmes" theme. So, I offer these two co-birthday celebrators as our first challenge. See ifyou can solve the mystery.

Congress Investigates Sports Supplements

The Associated Press reports that an influential senator is looking into whether Congress should re-regulate dietary supplements because steroids and other banned substances are finding their way into over-the-counter bodybuilding products.


Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Philadelphia Phillies fan, is convening a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the issue Tuesday.


He said his interest was piqued in part by the case of Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero, who was suspended for 50 games this season after testing positive for androstenedione, a substance that slugger Mark McGwire used in the 1990s that was later banned by baseball.

Here is a short new clips from Good Morning America:

Now, That's a Lot of Cocaine!!

The British navy seized its biggest haul of cocaine, worth £240 million ($380 millions), in raids in the waters off Colombia.The Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke and US Coastguard jointly intercepted an old fishing vessel, MV Cristal, in a "high-speed pounce" on September 15, Britain's Ministry of Defense announced Monday. A day-long search found a five and a half tonne stash, being smuggled in an area known for trafficking. The boat was later sunk by gunfire.

Check out the video, especially the end part:

"Doering's Got a Touchdown"

For many years around these parts I was known as "Chris' Father" and not Professor Doering. Since he stopped playing football in the NFL some years ago, I have finally regained my identity. However, this weekend I will gladly yield the stage back to him, because it was at the UF vs. Kentucky game on September 11, 1993 that Chris has his breakout game. It occurred to me the other day that most of you were 7 or 8 years old at the time and may not have heard about "The Catch." Come with me back to that later afternoon on a crisp Fall weekend in Lexington for an admittedly self-indulgent moment in time:

The Vicodin Song

I like music of all types, ranging from oldies to rock to (some) hip-hop, etc. Last Spring I was asked to put together a presentation for the students on the main campus talking about how song lyrics often contain subtle or overt references to drugs of abuse. Someday, I'll share that presenation with you all. Recently, though, I came across the video below called "The Vicodin Song."

The refrain of the song goes something like this: "i've got vicodin, do you want to come over, i know it's a long drive from malibu, i got a pocket full of pills..." The artist, Terra Naomi has a nice voice, but the song is best described as "maudlin." Take a look:



Some of you may know music, especially drug-tinged music, much better than me, but I find these songs to be very depressing. Then again, struggling with chemical dependence is depressing in and of itself. Check out this video by The Verve called "The Drugs Don't Work." released in September of 1997. Some say its in reference to the signer's father who became tolerant to his chemo and pain regimen. Click here to decide for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4XCGeckA-E

Medical students crossing the line on the Internet

That's the headline on several news outlets, Believe it or not, a paper in this week's JAMA reports on the activity of medical students using social network sites. We may be in similar trouble with Mr. Beal. He is a fiesty old rascal, isn't he?

Check out the article at the following:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_MED_STUDENT_HIJINKS?SITE=ORLAG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT