As a physician who graduated medical school over 50 years ago, was tenured at 2 Universities and also retired from FDA, I find the medical universe a disaster that has been overtaken by pharmaceutical companies' messaging, payment of "educational sessions" for physicians at high-end resorts and hospitals that are usually Businesses suppo…
As a physician who graduated medical school over 50 years ago, was tenured at 2 Universities and also retired from FDA, I find the medical universe a disaster that has been overtaken by pharmaceutical companies' messaging, payment of "educational sessions" for physicians at high-end resorts and hospitals that are usually Businesses supporting many types of procedures from outright operative cases to extensive laboratory, radiologic or "referral clinics". Yes, we now have wonderful new therapies, procedures and devices that help many live better lives-BUT, the number of patients who now "fit" the algorithm for expensive pharmaceuticals or operative procedures has turned into a multi-billion dollar business while seldom are the risks of the procedures or medications given the full discussion they deserve. And for some we simply do NOT have the long term data needed for safety= weight loss drugs. Yes, obesity is a health risk but we need to require longer term safety studies for children & adolescents that look at endocrine development, brain development and reproductive impacts into their childbearing years. If such are available, make them public but my bet is the duration of the studies in children or adolescents is not years or at best 2 years.
As a physician who graduated medical school over 50 years ago, was tenured at 2 Universities and also retired from FDA, I find the medical universe a disaster that has been overtaken by pharmaceutical companies' messaging, payment of "educational sessions" for physicians at high-end resorts and hospitals that are usually Businesses supporting many types of procedures from outright operative cases to extensive laboratory, radiologic or "referral clinics". Yes, we now have wonderful new therapies, procedures and devices that help many live better lives-BUT, the number of patients who now "fit" the algorithm for expensive pharmaceuticals or operative procedures has turned into a multi-billion dollar business while seldom are the risks of the procedures or medications given the full discussion they deserve. And for some we simply do NOT have the long term data needed for safety= weight loss drugs. Yes, obesity is a health risk but we need to require longer term safety studies for children & adolescents that look at endocrine development, brain development and reproductive impacts into their childbearing years. If such are available, make them public but my bet is the duration of the studies in children or adolescents is not years or at best 2 years.