Sunday September 7, 2008, 4:57 am
Quote from this article: "Having failed to persuade Congress or the states to limit such suits [against drug companies], the Bush administration and the pharmaceutical industry went to court, and now they stand on the verge of shutting down tens of thousands of lawsuits that have cost the industry billions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements."

I cannot believe that this Democratic Congress has not acted to prevent this from happening before now. This summer, a bill was introduced to reverse the Supreme Court's ruling on the banning of lawsuits against device manufacturers, but it won't be addressed until NEXT YEAR. By then, Congress may have to look at trying to reverse another unfavorable decision concerning patients' rights to sue - THIS one!

This issue is particularly close to my heart because my younger brother Tony is the victim of such unfairness. He has a Guidant defibrillator implanted in his chest, and is one of the unlucky ones to have a FAULTY one - you can read about the possible consequences of Guidant defibrillator malfunction here: Maker of Heart Device Kept Flaw From Doctors. He now hooks himself up to a monitor that tracks the operation of the defibrillator while he sleeps. If anything goes wrong, a signal is immediately sent to the hospital and he is awakened - but what about the REST of the day?

I am FURIOUS!

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:45 am
Oil spills, Blackwater abuses, lies & misinformation to the American people,etc.etc....the pattern of powerful interests seeking immunity from being held accountable for the damages they cause is all too clear. It is frightening.
I'm so sorry to hear that your brother's life is affected by this situation, Cate. It's an outrage.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:49 am
http://www.lef.org/fda/fda-ltr-31799.html

http://www.apfn.org/apfn/fda.htm

http://www.heall.com/medicalfreedom/index.html

http://library.findlaw.com/2001/Jan/1/129441.html

http://www.tortdeform.com/archives/2007/05/post_21.html

http://www.drday.com/rumors/ftc_letter.htm

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:52 am

start speaking up for yourself, look them in the eye, give them love,

and say NO,..

Try it,.. you'll like it..

.. its easy,

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:11 am
The big people always win, while we the underdog lose. I am so sick and tired of it. I get madder everyday. Your brother is now in my daily prayers Cate.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:14 am
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness, Joycey.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:23 am
these companies expect to reap the big bucks while people suffer, they are refusing to take responsiblities for the suffering they cause. our government is just another one of those big companies, none of them give a damn about us. and they have the nerve to throw God into the picture, they all call themselves Christians, well I see nothing Christ like in any of these greedy liars!
ty for this news, I hope your brother finds some justice.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:30 am
Thank you, Sheila...I don't believe he wants to run out and sue them now or anything...but if he died because of a defibrillator F*CKUP, it would be justice for his wife and children if THEY could!

Sunday September 7, 2008, 7:05 am
Yes I agree with Scott in regards to future things -I would not let them implant a device in me for Cate's Brother Blessings and may they find a better way. for this law that I am sure they will pass anyway-we can all call and perhaps it will do good -I hope so -worth every effort
This is why it is imperative that we all become more aware of alternative methods for health in a deeper way. Our best educated guess is as good as theirs I assure you and if I am going to finish this Earthwalk I will do so under my own terms not theirs

Sunday September 7, 2008, 7:12 am
Noted, thanks Cate and Bette M. We should not be surprised with going on. The bush House Republicans already passed a law contianed in the new FISA to allow retroactive immunity to the telecoms who sent private info to the NSA and other government agencies.
The problem is although we have a Democratic Senate and Congress they don't have enough votes to get anything passed into law. For this reason they are working as hard as they can to get a filabuster proof Senate. It isn't going to be easy, but it can be done...

Sunday September 7, 2008, 7:33 am
thank you Cate and i know this ALL TOO WELL also...
my brother has the MedTronic recalled defibrillator in and was also given a drug that threw him into congestive heart failure....which i may add was the reason the medicine was given to him in the first place, he was already having problems...
they also did the same to me on several occasions and when i tried to get an attorney to help me ..... UHHHH?????
THEY AREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT THEY DO TO US.........WE ARE AND CONTINUE TO BE THEIR LAB RATS AND ARE EXPENDABLE....
IT'S PATHETIC

Sunday September 7, 2008, 8:34 am
My youngest son had a monitor implanted this Spring...I've forwarded on this article for him to research. There wouldn't be as many lawsuits if the medical/manufactors were honest...they'd rather lie or keep quiet while people die, or are harmed....didn't think 'losing face' was worth another person's life..
thanks Cate...note with disgust

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:46 am
Hoping everyone's loved ones will be okay...sigh...we're treated like used kleenex by big business and our government...but I repeat myself...

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:52 am
Noted, thank you.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:56 am
This is outrageous - no accountability? OMG - that poor woman, shocked 31 times in 13 minutes, and she can't sue!

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:58 am
Yes, this, and they are trying to take away our right to buy herbal medicine and vitamins for our health because we might hurt ourselves with them.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 10:36 am
Ooooh, ooooh, protect us poor, vulnerable, weak, but well-meaning corporations from those nasty consumers. Especially those dead ones. After all, we're working so hard only to serve (ourselves).

Bush's legacy will be the continued erosion of personal rights in favor of corporate rights -- his two Supreme Court placements will see to that . . . let's pray he doesn't get a third pick . . .

But, hey, it's a beautiful day out there and I'm gonna have a bowl of raisin bran w/ soy milk and go check it out : )
-- y'all do the same now, y'here? Enjoy the day.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 10:50 am
IF COMPANIES ARE WILLING TO TAKE IN THE BIG BUCKS AND PUT THEIR NAMES ON MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND DRUGS BE IT OVER THE COUTER OR PERSCRIPTION THEY SHOULD ALSO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG. HALF THE DRUGS THEY ADVERTISE THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE MORE DEADLY THEN WHAT THEY ARE TREATING, AND IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT A PERSONS LIFE DEPENDS ON IT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG. THIS WAY THEY WILL MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING RIGHT BEFORE THEY LET THE PATIENT HAVE IT. IT IS A CRIME WHAT THESE COMPANIES ARE DOING TO PEOPLE, AND THE PEOPLE HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER THEY HAVE TO TRUST THERE DOCTORS AND THE MAKERS OF THESE DEVISES TO INSURE THEY WORK. I TRUST MY DOCTOR BUT I DO NOT TRUST A DRUG COMPANY WHO IS ONLY OUT TO PUT MONEY IN THE BANK. PEOPLE NEED TO SPEAK UP AGAINST THESE CRIMINALS. IF A LIFE IS TAKEN DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL IN A DEVISE THAT IS PURCHASED FROM THE COMPANY THAT IS SUPOSE TO WORK AND IT DOESN'T THEN THAT TO ME IS MURDER AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.AND I LIKE KATE HOPE EVERYONES LOVED ONES WILL BE OKEY.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:04 am
I wonder if they are really asking the supreme court or just TELLING them to do what they want these days......Thx Cate!

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:14 am
Gagging over Dave's breakfast...

Robin, it's so true about so many new "wonder" drugs...ya gotta wonder why the HELL anyone would take them if you pay attention to al the disclaimers, which is difficult to do since they rush through them. I swear, the TV drugs ads make me and Rick laugh and laugh because they DO sound like they'll kill ya before they cure ya.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:17 am
What was it, Cate, the raisin bran or the soy milk, that made you gag? LOL!

I had an omelette with feta cheese and tomatoes this morning.

:-)

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:17 am
yes, Jillyanne...Goddess FORBID if we want to buy a natural remedy or supplement that has been proven to b perfectly safe, because that take $$$ away from Pfizer and Merck and AstraZeneca etc. ad nauseam...if the pharmas don't make all that big money, how will their lobbyists be able to buy all those legislators, regulators and judges???

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:18 am
the soy milk. Blue...LOL..but you can keep the feta & tomatoes....give me jack cheese and chives...

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:25 am
This is one reason why I avoid big pharma and their drugs like the plague. Of course, there are those who really need help, but for the most part, it's a racket to keep people drugged without finding the underlying problem for their ailments. If I had listened to the doctors, I'd be on 20+ meds right now with worsening health. Using alternative, natural healers and remedies, my ailments are under control and just about gone.

Big Pharma needs protection from lawsuits because they couldn't handle all the lawsuits and would be run out of town with empty pockets. The medical profession and big pharma is a racket. Consider all the unnecessary surgeries and conditions that require meds. Proper nutrition and exercise would solve many ailments, but they would rather medicate with drugs having side effects that can sometimes make the original ailment seem mild.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:33 am
This is no less than seeking a license to commit mass murder legally. That is the most egregious form of liberty violation ever. This may require a mass roundup of all Big Pharma executives and force feeding them their own poisons that they force upon us.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 12:37 pm
Bush's clock is ticking....

Sunday September 7, 2008, 12:54 pm
These companies only want what government has. ABOVE THE LAW OF THE LAND AND COURTS

Sunday September 7, 2008, 1:32 pm
Thanks Regina Cate! NOTED!
Robin, I agree with you 100%
Marion...hmm we need to talk...
maybe I can wean myself off of the meds I need.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 1:35 pm
I suppose all the big corporate special interests need to get what they want now while Republicans are still in office.

What do we do with the new congress, mostly Dem, that votes for the big guys and against the citizens?

Mary

Sunday September 7, 2008, 1:37 pm
NO WAY THEY SHOULD GET AWAY WITH THEIR MISTAKES & THEY HAVE THE $$$$$$$ TO PAY FOR ANY ERROR, YOU PAY FOR YOUR ERRORS, THIS IS THE !! LAW !! & THE LAW SHOULD BE APPLIED !! I SURE HOPE THERE IS !! JUSTICE !! HERE......

Sunday September 7, 2008, 3:41 pm

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - President John F. Kennedy

Sunday September 7, 2008, 4:31 pm
When accountability is removed from a capitalist system what is left? I don't know, be the little man seems to be getting in the way of corporate money making.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:39 pm
Not only does the pharmacutical companies control republicans in congress, they also control the FDC which was orginally formed to protect it's citizens. IT really is there to protect drug companies. Bush and his religous right are leaving our contry in ruins, and everyone needs to get on the phone with their represenitives and YELL. If you sit back and do nothing, then you agree with this. Just think of the millions and millions they are donating to the McBush campagne. Doesn't that tell you something. If we don't speak up and DO SOMETHING, then we as a country are lost.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:42 pm
"The measure of a man is what he does with power". Pittacus. Bush, you fail. Miserably. And this isn't gonna happen, Captain. Thanks, Regina.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 5:59 pm
Heed the warning..the cure is almost always worse than the disease..And they don't care..The will do whatever they can to not only lessen.. but to stop all legal suits against them..
Thanks Cate..
Noted with disgust..

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:07 pm
This is disgusting - I just read an article about big pharma companies outsourcing clinical trials to poverty stricken countries. In India, they were doing a clinical trial on toddlers and infants on HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE medication, and 49 children 1 year old and less out of approximately 4500 children died. Since when do babies have these kinds of problems with high blood pressure? They were meds meant for adults. I just cried and cried.

I know that I take medicines made by these companies - I need to live. But I can't stand them. And I can't stand what the gov't is doing to the accountability factor. If they aren't responsible for their own products, who is?

Bushco - aaarrrggghhhhhh.....how could anyone think this is okay

Sunday September 7, 2008, 6:28 pm
It's UN-American Legislation!

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:09 pm
Noted.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 9:10 pm
Again I am disgusted.

Sunday September 7, 2008, 11:19 pm
They seem to grab you by the a** every time, don't they?! Sorry about your brother Cate. Hope all works out well for him. Great article. Thanks.

Monday September 8, 2008, 1:15 am
Cate sorry about your Brother. You are right if you make it patent it you shold shoulder the damages when your product hurts some one .That old tort reform has done nothing here except stop the little person from getting into court due to the heavy cost to file chris

Monday September 8, 2008, 3:25 am
thank you for this information!

Monday September 8, 2008, 7:52 am
Thank You for this information... Very informative. A friend of mine told me that the big pharma co. also want to have vitamins, herbs and natural remedies regulated. Has anyone else heard this?

Monday September 8, 2008, 8:14 am
Eek ! frankenstien heaven !

Monday September 8, 2008, 10:24 am
Bobbi T...here you go:

Bill C-51: Canadian Govt threatens access to health products
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/StopC51?page=5


Alimentarius Codex
will effectively eradicate Organic Farming, in favour of irradiated GM Products: and will destroy the Complementary and Alternative Health Community by making it illegal to prescribe or even recommend, nutritional supplements, vitamins, Herbs, or other natural remedies.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/alimentarius-codex


Check out the rest of the petitions on vitamins and supplements
http://www.care2.com/find/petition

Monday September 8, 2008, 12:06 pm
Does this really surprise anyone?

Monday September 8, 2008, 2:45 pm
Noted, thanks Cate. The evils of power and greed by these people and corporations at any cost to the public!

Monday September 8, 2008, 3:59 pm
OOPS!

Shoot, it's only good the first time, after that it all gets re-thought (ewwww, that almost sounded like something out of "1984")

Monday September 8, 2008, 8:20 pm
As far as suing goes. I just settled a lawsuit with a predatory, greedy racist fraudulent banking institution. Part of the deregulation gift from the greedy racist fraudulent Republicans. They sued me not realizing the level of experience I had in the Courtroom. No sooner did I file an answer and counter-claim than they quickly changed their tune and asked for a joint dismissal with prejudice. I sent them an email saying, OK I'll let you go this time but if this matter rears its head one more time; I am going to move it to Federal Court and file a Racketeering lawsuit against all parties. (Civil RICO). It's amazing what kind of respect one can get from Republicans when you have a reputation for bringing entire law firms to their knees in front of a Federal Judge.

http://www.bccmeteorites.com/misconduct-planetary.html

SRD-BCCM

Wednesday September 10, 2008, 11:49 am
Our whole government, protection agencies and all, are inappropriate. It all needs to be bulldozed and started over again. By US.

Wednesday September 10, 2008, 3:07 pm
I've never had a BP problem.But I am feeling the thuds.

Sunday September 14, 2008, 10:27 am
Great Comments my "friends". I am disgusted and furious. They can give us meds that obviously have not been properly tested and when we're adversely effected by them tell us to screw off! Goddess help us...

Friday August 21, 2009, 2:24 am
No fair, big companies always get away with murder in the highest degree