 | Latest News on the Synthroid Issue (...and a Contest to Win Free Books!!) |
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The past week has been a busy one for thyroid-related news, with reports in major national media that Knoll Pharmaceutical Co., a subsidiary of BASF Corp. in Germany, has agreed to pay up to an estimated $135 million to settle allegations that it suppressed research regarding its thyroid drug, Synthroid.
The settlement follows the April publication -- in the Journal of the American Medical Association -- of a study commissioned by the manufacturer that showed that Synthroid was bioequivalent to and no more effective and equally effective drugs, including Levoxyl and several generic synthetic thyroid hormone replacements. Prior to publication, Knoll had disputed the results of its study, and allegedly blocked the publication of the results for more than six years.
| Settlement details are still in progress and subject to approval by the courts, and the criteria for eligibility is not determined yet. Estimates, however, indicate that up to 8 million people who took or are taking Synthroid -- and paid as much as two to three times what other brands and generics cost -- may be eligible to share in the award settlements. It's estimated that each person participating in the suit may receive approximately $25. |
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Synthroid is the third largest selling drug in the United States, and estimates indicate that Synthroid has around 85 percent of the $600 million a year market for thyroid hormone replacement drugs.
One hundred tablets of a typical daily dose of Synthroid costs an estimated $28, compared with about $7 - $11 for Levoxyl, an equivalent brand name drug. A total shift to the less expensive drugs would save U.S. thyroid patients an estimated $356 million a year.
| Click here for a complete list of weblinks covering Synthroid, the background on the controversy, and patient drug insert information. |
| The Thyroid Disease Website Book Contest |
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The Thyroid Society for Education and Research has generously donated several copies of their recently published book, Could it Be My Thyroid? which I'll be giving away free to visitors of the Thyroid Disease Website. Could it Be My Thyroid? was written by Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., who is a practicing thyroidologist, and Founding Chariman and Medical Director of the Thyroid Society for Education and Research. You can read a review of the book, and view its table of contents.
How can you win your free copy of Could it Be My Thyroid? Send me your best personal stories and thoughts in the following three categories, and the best submission in each category will win a free copy of Dr. Rubenfeld's book. (Please note: I'll be publishing the submissions of the three winners and some of the best entries in each category, so by submitting an entry, you are agreeing to have your entry published here at the website. )
- Funniest thyroid related story -- This may be a funny doctor story, or a funny story about your thyroid itself, anything you think is related somehow. I know sometimes that dealing with this disease doesn't seem very funny at all, but having a sense of humor IS often the best medicine, and I know there's so many of you out there who have warm, heartfelt and witty things to share about getting well and staying well! So, click here to send a funny story (or send an email to thyroid.guide@about.com), no later than Sunday, August 24th, at Midnight Eastern Daylight Time, US.
- Best Tip on How to Deal with Your Doctor -- Many of us have great doctors, but they're busy and stretched to the limit, and it's hard to get them to explain things. Others have doctors assigned by HMOs, and must learn to deal with someone who, in other circumstances, you'd probably not choose to be your doctor. And some people searched high and low, and worked hard to find just the RIGHT wonderful doctor. Share your best ideas on how to find, keep, communicate or deal with your doctor, and you just might win a free book! Click here to send a tip on dealing with your doc (or send an email to thyroid.guide@about.com), no later than Sunday, August 24th, at Midnight Eastern Daylight Time, US.
- Best Piece of Advice to New Thyroid Patient -- So many of us remember when we first had a diagnosis of thyroid disease. There may have been the fear involved in learning we had thyroid cancer, or the confusion of being told, "it's just your thyroid" and being handed a prescription, with no further information, or simply just the change in perception from knowing that there was this thing called a thyroid somewhere in your neck, to realizing how important this gland is to overall health. If there was ONE thing you wished someone had told you when you were first diagnosed with a thyroid problem, what would it be? Send your best advice to a new patient (or send an email to thyroid.guide@about.com), no later than Sunday, August 24th, at Midnight Eastern Daylight Time, US.
So get your entries in as soon as possible! And, in the meantime, if you just CAN'T wait to see if you're a winner, you can order your own copy of Dr. Rubenfeld's book, Could it Be My Thyroid?, by visiting the Thyroid Society's order page.
 | If you want to drop me a line, email me at thyroid.guide@about.com! |
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