If you’re taking any kind of prescription medication or if your doctor is pushing you to take medications, a recent FDA recall should really make you think twice.
I don’t like writing negative, frightening articles. But this issue is too serious to ignore.
Here’s why. More than five years after the FDA was made aware of this drug being completely useless while at the same time causing serious side effects (even deaths) the drug was still on the market.
… and worst of all, it had NEVER BEEN TESTED!
That’s right. This particular drug had never gone through the FDA’s regular approval process. No study had ever been done to test the effectiveness of this drug. Yet it had the FDA’s stamp of approval based on nothing more than faith.
What was the drug and how did this happen? That’s the issue of today’s feature article.
The drug in question was the 300mg generic version of Wellbutrin XL, which is manufactured by Impax Laboratories and marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals. But the problem isn’t just this particular drug. It’s how the FDA handled the whole approval and recall process. Andy any kind of drug you’re taking can be handled in the same way.
You see, for a long time the FDA has been favorable towards generic drugs. These are drugs that should include a formula similar to what’s found in the big brand medications that have gone through extensive testing and been previously approved by the FDA.
Note that the generic versions are not identical, only similar. For the most part, it has to include the same active ingredients but not exactly the same and not necessarily in the same dosages. It’s similar to big brand products compared to store brands. They are mostly the same but still not identical.
So the patient is in essence used as guinea pig with the generic versions.
In this case, the 300mg generic version was a takeoff from the 150mg version of the brand name drug. And the FDA just assumed that since the 150mg worked, a 300mg version would work as well or better.
That was not the case. Immediately in 2006 after the drug was approved, the FDA began receiving complaints about its severe side effects as well as ineffectiveness.
The next step the FDA took was unforgivable. Instead of putting out a warning regarding this drug, recalling it or making their own independent tests, they asked the manufacturer to test the drug.
The manufacturer started the testing process but soon abandoned it due to “slow patient enrollment.” After all, why should they spend millions on testing a drug that was already approved and they were still selling truckloads of it every month.
If this were the 1950s, they’d have asked the tobacco companies “Please test to see if cigarettes might be dangerous.”
So four years passed, while patients suffered, and nothing happened. Finally in 2010 the FDA was forced to perform their own tests, which quickly revealed what everyone really knew. The drug was not effective and dangerous.
And yet, it wasn’t until October 2012, two months after the results came out, that the FDA revealed their mistakes to the public.
Since the FDA has approved hundreds of other drugs using the same faulty methods (assuming that a generic drug works because it’s somewhat similar to the original drug), you would think they were working day and night pulling these drugs off the market, right?
Wrong! Most of the drugs are still being prescribed. I would love to give you a list of all these drugs but that would take thousands of hours of research.
Instead the FDA has asked the drug manufacturers to test their own drugs and submit the results by March 2013. This is the exact same thing they did before, which kept this dangerous drug on the market for four more years.
Approving ineffective drugs may be even worse than having drugs with side effects. It gives people false security. And since the drug doesn’t work, your doctor will add on another drug and another drug until you’re taking 50 different drugs that don’t work and interact with each other in a negative way.
Again, I apologize for the negative tone of today’s article. I hope you’ll take the time to browse through our archive of hundreds of positive articles on this site (just click the “Articles” or “Brows By Topic” link at the top of this page). Or you may want to check out our natural health guides on the right hand side of this page.
If your doctor is suggesting you take medications for particular diseases, you’ll want to check out the following:
Simple exercises that drop blood pressure below 120/80 as soon as today…
3 step approach that reverses type 2 diabetes in 21 days…
Easy step-by-step plan that gets your cholesterol under control…
But first of all, what do you think? Please leave your comments below.
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I think u are to harsh and at the same time either reservative with information or not too sure of your facts
Grateful to be informed! Thank You!
Being given the info is great but it is of no help when visiting the GP and trying to have an informed conversation with him. They just offer up, that they are controlled by primary care trust and their hands are tied.
Drugs that have been through the animal testing process can also be dangerous. Look at the current law suits. Either way, not good for the people needing to take prescription drugs.
Please continue posting the informative topics that you do…they are very helpful to “the unknowing” such as the folk who have been subjected to these under-handed dealings!!
I have learned so much by reading your articles
Thank you for waking up call. The world at present is mad aiming at making money, more money and moooooore. The unscrupulous people are not bother about the society so long they get their profit to become richer. They stoop to any level as you have noted. At this rate the world will end with no healthy person to find.
This is totally unacceptable. I have worked in the health care field for over
50 years, and back in the 1950’s a drug was tested for 15+ years before put on the market. As years passed the years shortened and not it is out of the
factory today and tomorrow people are the “testors” not rats or guinea pigs.
This is ludicrous and must stop. We need to make a statement to congress, who
by the way get paid to “look the other way”!!!!
It just show that you can not count on the FDA to protect us.
Thank you for the helpful information all of you provide. It is very much appreciated and has a lot of times confirmed what I have researched for myself. I think it is imperative every one take their health and well-being seriously. You are the one who knows how you feel and what works. Also, to teach our children to not take for granted their health and well-being and to seriously consider everything they eat and drink plus an education on over-the-counter drugs, and any pill, vitamin, or supplemant suggested by anyone to take. Excellent health and well-being to everyone! God Bless!
I used to take that medication… Wellbutrin XL… should I be worried?
Wow, this is pretty scary stuff! I had no clue and a lot of times I get the generics to save money!
That is why I refuse drugs, can't trust the doctors or the pharmacutical companies, nor the FDA, I'd rather go natural, and do. It all comes down to greed.
I have a well respected Neurologist here in NYc. I have trouble sleeping and what I think is restless leg snydrome? So, this very nice and caring doctor gave me a whole hand full of pill bottles. When I read the side effects, I cringed. Needless to say, I am not sure what to do with them, they are sitting in a bag in a closet!
I am seeing a wonderful and gifted Bio-Energist who comes from Rumania and I am feeling so much better and my symptoms have faded considerably.
Keep going, this idea that a pill will solve everything and the truth is being swepted under the carpet has to be addressed and stopped. I am glad you are bringing light to this epidemic. Many thanks.
So four years passed, while patients suffered, and nothing happened. Finally in 2010 the FDA was forced to perform their own tests, which quickly revealed what everyone really knew. The drug was not effective and dangerous.
And yet, it wasn’t until October 2012, two months after the results came out, that the FDA revealed their mistakes to the public.
…That’s two YEARS, not two “months.” No?
The FDA has not been doing their job for a long time. It's all about power and money to them, period! Over 100,000 people EVERY year die from properly prescribed prescription drugs. That should tell anybody that there is something really, really wrong with this system. WAKE UP america!
I would like to do more of the the natural way. I get help with most of my perscriptions and do worry as I am on so many.
This article does not tell me what wellbutrin XL was prescribed for and what the non-generic drug is.
Knowing the answers to these points would make the article more meaningful to me.
Thanks
Any information in regards to dangerous medications and the recall are much needed. A very good article. I started a blood pressure medication just recently because the blood pressure was way high and am not sure if it is one of the ones that was recalled. I listened to the doctor and started the medication. I do not feel safe taking it because I am sure there will be some other problem that will arise unknown to me from this drug. There is a great need to get back to organically grown foods. Our bodies are totally out of control because of all the stress, diseases, GMO’S, GE, cloned foods, etc…it(body)has consumed over the years. To educate people about the many medications and the cause behind it need to be told, no matter the consequence. Otherwise, the ones on medications are targets.
The insurance companies especially for us seniors will only pay for generic . There is only one generic for Ambien that works for me but I had to call 8 pharmacies before one would stock it for me but I had to call the actual
manufacturer to get them to stock to Pharmacy X which is not close to me but at least they are trying.,…
I have always believed in my own mind about these legalized drugs only treat the problem not cure the problem.Just like taking your vehicle to repair shop money making business.The food you buy is bad for your health.every thing is all about money only.The people that care about other people our the people like me that can’t do a dam thing about the rotten system but talk from the white house on down.
So FDA should be disbanded.
The FDA should pay everyones health bill. They have done nothing but steer us in the wrong direction on everything for years now. From the food they tell us is ok to eat to the pills doctors give us. They are the reason everyone has heart trouble, Diabetes, Cancer, should i go on. Trans fat is only one ingrediate that our bodys shouldn’t have. But the FDA not only let it be in our foods they also told them they didnt have to tell us it was even in the foods. Until now. There are a whole lot more things like trans fat in our foods that FDa says doesnt have to be listed> You wouldn’t believe it. I read a blog not to long ago from some site that was written by someone that worked with the FDA. They said that there are so many greedy people workiing there that those who want to see things done right but know that they aren’t are afraid for their lifes. They are not safe working there. They suggested someone needs to fire everyone there. Hopefully to start a new FDA that can be for the protection of the people. Instead of protecting their pockets and their lies. FDA should pay for everyones health problems. Doctors practice medince and i think they get way to much money to use us as rats to pay for their practice. They get money to push pills for the big pill companies and insurance companies pay them to use them. I think consumer reports had a list of doctors that get pd thousands from big pill companies. You would not believe it. We are all Doomed if our health is in the hands of the FDA, pill makers and insurance companies that choose your doctor and tell u what medicine u can take. I see no help in sight.People that do have the power to change this know its a issue but they wont touch it.
Would be nice if you had stated the drug in question, or give a website to go to that had a list of these bad meds.
oops my bad for skimmining. Yea – Wellbutrin – shitty drug. Look up Susie Cohen – she's a pharmacist very up on drugs, side effects and what vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are robbed from your body when you take prescription meds. Bought both of her books from Amazon and get her newsletter in my email. She is awesome. I trust my pharmacist more than my doctors when it comes to meds. BE INFORMED – DOCTORS ARE NOT GODS.
my late husband was prescribed this..and I SAW first-hand what it did to him..frightening! I got him off them….
I am glad I have a hope of better things to come, when no one will be sick everyone will have good health. Because of sin we suffer so many ailements and diseases which many times doctors will do a tial and error where meds. are concerned then prescribed what they think is best sometimes they misdiagnosed being the humans that they are, prone to failure, but in the meantime as we await that glorious day, we have to research the meds. we get and utilize natural things as best as possible to avoid complications from prescription drugs.
If you think things are bad now wait and see if the GMO labeling law in California wins or loses. If it loses they will put GMO products in just about everything and feel free to do so since they will not be required to label it.
I am not at all surprised: I never had any trust in the FDA and have not taken any prescription drug, whatsoever, in years. When I get one from a physician, it goes straight in the garbage (where it belongs).
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/11/28/prescription-drug-death.aspx?e_cid=20121128_PRNL_INTL_art_2
Check out this website. Dr Mercola is a wealth of information.
This info, even though it might get the attention of people who are new to what is really going on, doesn’t tell half of the problems. There are a few countries where it’s citizens can decide which modality of medical care they want to have, for whatever condition they have.I recently took a trip to Ecuador. While I was there, I stayed at the home of a doctor (N.D.).I became ill and needed some care. He told me to come to the hospital and he would take care of me. I wondered how an ND could see mein the hospital. When I arrived, I was amazed to see an office with his name above the door. He used a combination of holistic and allopathic meds. When I finished and was ready to leave, I asked where I should go to pay. He told me that there was not provided charge. I am not a citizen or a resident of Ecuador. He told me that the country doesn’t want anyone sick, including it’s guests.In the US and most countries,a fortune could be saved if people were free to choose where to get health care and what modalities they could use. Medicare would spend $150,000 or more for cancer treatment that in most cases is not effective, when much better treatment can be had in Germany or Mexico for a fraction of the cost. I can attest to this, personally.I went to Tijuana nearly three years ogo for four weeks, for treatment of Multiple Myeloma, at a cost of about $12,000. Needless to say, Medicare wouldn’t pay a dime. They will pay for cut, burn and poison, but not for good treatment that doesn’t cause nausea, hairloss or death from the poison of their chemo. I was fortunate to have the money at that time or I would likely be dead.I have a brother-in-law who has been ill for some time. Every year his doctor tells him that he must have a flu shot. For seven years he has had one, and every year he has had flu.I cared for people in their homes for about 15 years and I could write a horror story book, that many folks wouldn’t believe. For instance, I had a 92 year old lady who was taking hormone replacement therapy(horse urine). Another lady went to the hospital for repair of a hiatal hernia. During surgery, the doctor ruptured vessels to the spleen, which was then removed.She developed an infection and nearly died. Thanks to an alternative doctor who was formerly mainstream, she regained reasonable health.She later started to feel tired, and her mainstream doctor referred her to a hemotologist. He told her that she had an incurable disease called Myelodisplasia. Medicare payed $700 a pop for injections every week for months, until this doctor went on vacation. The doctor who was seeing his patients told me to take her for a blood draw. When the result came back ,this new doctor said he would not give her the injection now or next week and we should take this up with the doctor when he got back. When we saw the doctor, he came out with a big smile an said”Well, I guess we cured you.” I reported this to Medicare, who did nothing. I had a lung cancer patient. When I arrived at his home, he had edema up to his eyebrows. I phoned his doctor and told him that I wanted to bring him to the hospital for IV Lasix, to reduce the excess fluid.His comment was “Why, he is going to die, anyway”. My husband went to the emergency several times in atrial fibrilation on three occasions, he was billed for services not provided. When I contacted Medicare, they could not have cared less. This is our government.
no surprises…i stay away from most drugs. when will folks do their job in an ethical and efficient way. i was raised in new england in the forties and upward and we did the very best on “the job” that we knew. times have changed?
The 'drugs' that are issued by the pharmaceutical companies are nowhere tested as they used to be. Many regulations and controls have been eased considerably over recent years, because of lobbying and the power of money that the pharmaceutical industry uses to 'persuade' government officals to vote in their favour. Laws have been passed that makes it very difficult to sue the drug companies, and the end result is that 'legal' drugs are killing far more people than the illegal narcotics trade. Why should one drug be made up of certain ingredients and sold in one part of the world under its well known trade name, and yet the very same drug, with the same name is sold in other parts of the world with a different cocktail of ingredients? On and on it goes. Everything is not what it seems. We now live in a drug oriented society, the illegal drug trade is worth over one TRILLION dollars, and hundreds of millions are hooked on them. The rest of mankind is hooked on presciption drugs, everybody now is a pharmacist. The masses have been programmed to turn to drugs as their solution to their problems; DRUGS, not good food, not good nutrition, not that which is natural and normal, or that which our forefathers ate for millenia and has proven its worth; no it is the plastic, the chemical, the artificial, the pesticide riddled, pasteurised, homogenised, and the dessicated processed dead food mass that most people eat that creates the need for people to turn to the medical poisons that the food industry has prepared them for; and which the pharmaceutical companies of which both the food and drug companies are owned by the same interests continue to poison the masses with a new medicinal diet of drugs.
What is your opinion on the new health craze GHR (natural growth hormone) as
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Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.