Jun 19 2006
by Mary J. ShomonI decided to take a look back at some of the news and people I've covered in 2003, and wanted to share with you the highs and lows -- the cheers and jeers so to speak -- of the year!
CHEERS -- To the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) for putting autoimmune disease on the map, particularly in 2003. The group has spearheaded NIH's development of an office of autoimmunity, and was one of the key movers that got autoimmunity named one of the Health Stories of 2003 by Newsweek.
JEERS -- To the self-serving lawyers who represented the millions of consumers who took Synthroid in the class action suit. The suit, filed in 1997, and settled quickly in 2000 for pennies on the dollar, alleged that Synthroid's manufacturer had overcharged consumers to the tune of many millions and millions of dollars. Patients have ended up getting a grand total of around $70-$100 total each for what was in some cases years of overpaying each month. And the lawyers, well, you know the story -- they end up with MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars in legal fees.
CHEERS -- To the Alt.Support.Thyroid newsgroup, which has broadened itself from a Usenet newsgroup into an even more active and informed patient support environment with the publication of their top-notch new website!
JEERS -- To the supposed consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, who slapped together a shoddy and poorly researched indictment of Armour Thyroid, declared it an out-of-date drug used only by unscrupulous diet doctors, then defended it by insisting that Armour was an over-the-counter herbal supplement available without prescription. It's sad that a group that used to have a reputation of championing the public is now working actively AGAINST the public, attempting to limit our access to much-needed and helpful medications. Public Citizen has become a public menace, at least where thyroid patients are concerned.
CHEERS -- To Edna Kyrie, founder of Thyroid History website, who has built an amazing resource for thyroid patients and practitioners, AND managed to keep her incredibly good spirit while doing it! She's the definition of an empowered patient, and she is an inspiration to us all!!
JEERS -- To King Pharmaceuticals, which seems to be having a problem making a batch of Levoxyl that doesn't end up getting recalled.
CHEERS -- To Dairy Queen International, who reversed their position, and in the face of inquiries from me and the patient community, got rid of an ad that made fun of an overweight thyroid patient. It's not often that a company or organization is willing to not only say it has been wrong, but to be willing to do what it takes to make things right!
JEERS -- To Synthroid and its manufacturer, Abbott, which still seems intent on charging more than its competitors for a product that has been shown to be no better than its competitors. Exactly WHAT are we paying extra for, folks? (Let me guess -- all those free brochures being handed out in endocrinologists' offices, and fancy thyroid seminars in Palm Beach, perhaps?)
CHEERS -- To thyroid cancer survivor and singing sensation Eileen Johnson, who is featured on a CD honoring Gilda Radner. This courageous girl with the big voice and the big heart is headed for bigger and better things every day.
JEERS -- To Forest Labs, which hasn't been particularly organized about its thyroid drug manufacturing lately. Levothroid had to be pulled off the market because it did not receive FDA-approval, and only in late 2003 has it gotten back on the market, this time using Llloyd Pharmaceutical's FDA-approved levothyroxine formulation. And FDA concerns about the manufacturing of Thyrolar product has resulted in stalled production of the product, and a lack of availability. As of January 2004, Thyrolar has become unavailable in many areas of the country, and the company has provided no anticipated date when it will again become available. Finally, Forest Labs has failed to respond in any way to any of the Public Citizen attacks against its product, Armour thyroid, leaving patients who take Armour -- and the physicians who prescribe it -- hanging out to dry, and forced to defend themselves against the drug's critics. Come on Forest -- get your act together in 2004!!
CHEERS -- To Dr. David Derry, a beloved Canadian thyroid expert, who has volunteered to answer thyroid patient questions -- for free, and has offered a number of well-researched, documented answers to patient questions.
JEERS -- In contrast to our cheers for Dr. Derry, JEERS to a certain self-proclaimed "thyroidologist" -- who in the past has referred to patients who take Armour thyroid as the "fringe" and written to patients that they needed to "get a life" -- and has now started to charge $35 just to respond to emails, not to mention charging big big bucks for an emailed "second opinion." Caveat emptor, folks.
Read more 2003 Thyroid Cheers and Jeers!
