Epilepsy Talk
NEWS: Drug Companies Hire Troubled Doctors As Experts | May 20, 2018
This from NPR:
“Drug companies say they hire the most-respected doctors in their fields for the critical task of teaching about the benefits and risks of the companies’ drugs.
But an investigation by ProPublica has uncovered hundreds of doctors receiving company payments who had been accused of professional misconduct, were disciplined by state boards or lacked credentials as researchers or specialists.
Compiled from disclosures by seven companies, the database covers $257.8 million in payouts since 2009 for speaking, consulting and other duties. The companies include Lilly, Cephalon, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer.”
To read more, go to: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130644774&ft=1&f=100
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Epilepsy Talk 
Hey Pyhlis, this is why I always say it’s best to be your own advocate and if a drug is not working or the side effects are just to much, you tell your doc and have them change it. This is another reason i told my doc before we try multiple drugs, i would like to go one drug at a time. This way there is no guessing game as to which drug is causing the negative effect, one or the other, or the mixture of both. So of the drugs I’ve been prescribe, some have been really bad and caused my seizures to worsen right away and others took time to realize that fact.
A drug is suppose to help you and if it’s not then by all means speak up, especially if these drugs are meant to be taken for a long time.
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Comment by Zolt — May 20, 2018 @ 12:23 PM
I believe you must be your own advocate.
YOU know your body best.
Thanks, Zolt.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 20, 2018 @ 12:43 PM
In every field, where there is a lot of money and people involved, there more than likely will be corruption. Govt. is a good example of that. Some like to make doc out as gods, but they are only human, with mistakes and all. Who knows maybe some of these docs that take money really believe in the drug they are supporting. Maybe they have seen the first hand accounts of the positives the drug produces. But being your own advocate leaves the final decision in our hands, since like you say, we know our bodies the best.
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Comment by Zolt — May 21, 2018 @ 12:00 PM
That’s great one at a time 2 at most. Always go by your feelings. ELYOLO
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Comment by Daniel — July 21, 2021 @ 7:57 PM
You couldn’t be more right!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 22, 2021 @ 9:03 AM
Great article, Phyllis. Yet another example of, “Follow the Money”, in action.
I can see that if a “doctor” has this kind of a stain on their record, they might not be the most scrupulous person in the first place or they might feel like they don’t have anything to lose professionally so they may as well cash in.
You can basically hire an “expert” to say anything you want them to say.
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Comment by paleobird — May 20, 2018 @ 5:25 PM
Not to mention that the clinical trials are rigged — payed for by the pharmaceutical companies themselves. 😦
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2018 @ 10:23 AM
p.s.
It also seems to me that a lot of the people that are trotted out as “experts” are really just “over the hill experts”. They may have been well respected in their field several decades ago but the science has moved on and they have not kept up.
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Comment by paleobird — May 20, 2018 @ 5:29 PM
And some of of them are stand-ins and have actually had their licences retired.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2018 @ 10:25 AM
Thank you for all you do with your Articles they are a big help Phyllis ! 🙂
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Comment by maryleeparker — May 21, 2018 @ 3:37 AM
Glad if I can be of help in any way.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2018 @ 10:26 AM
I think that’s a good point about dog walking.
You get the companionship, exercise and feeling of doing something good.
.
But I do think you should tell your neurologist about your high levels of anxiety.
That’s what they’re there for.
And full disclosure can only help you.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2018 @ 10:30 AM
Zolt, I think you hit the nail on the head.
If the very agencies that regulate these industries and doctors, are corrupt, what are we to expect? 😦
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2018 @ 4:07 PM
Great article Phylis. And that is just the tip of the ice berg, This has been happening for decades since I have been taking AED’s anyway for over 57 years. As you see so many ads on TV, At the end of the month, I have another VEEG & like it or not, the main reason for this is to be stressed out if I decide to get a VNS, or to stay & keep my condition as is, not knowing if a VNS will make things better or worse with NEW brain activity that could cause seizures. I know, a VNS is no drug, BUT,,It’s like people can not live without drugs or WHATEVER ELSE,,if the people actually believe I NEED THAT DRUG or whatever. Yeah right,, I need that SUV too you see on a TV Ad & that SUV has NO side affects that make you sick, besides the payments. What is so amazing is how all the network news media will never talk about this serious issue & how our total health care system is a fraud & con game of SCAMS, to push a drug or drugs in our life, or some other worthless device that never cures a single condition. They will never talk about or do some FACT PROVING TESTS of clinical research to where most to all neurological drugs causes DEPRESSION , ANXIETY & etc… to make themselves responsible & accountable for suicides & deaths happening today, from their drugs & doctors pushing them on people. The media gets paid too much for NOT reporting that & politicians never bring it up on the house or senate floors, because they get campaign money to support BIG PHARMA. Most politicians here in WV, 2 in the senate & many house members are some of the 435 who cares less about human health & food & drug safety. Check out your own Sen & Rep in DC & state. It’s time that drug industries & doctors realize we are real people, & not numbers, and are no ATM machines.
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Comment by C D — May 22, 2018 @ 9:44 AM
You might be interested in this article, C D:
Vagus Nerve Stimulation…Is it for YOU?
https://epilepsytalk.com/2011/03/13/vagus-nerve-stimulation%E2%80%A6is-it-for-you/
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 22, 2018 @ 10:17 AM
Sad that money controls these doctors dealing with kids, seniors and everyday ppl seeking real health. I personally will be praying for the medical world
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Comment by Ann — May 30, 2018 @ 9:25 PM
It’s a sad and corrupt world out there. 😦
Just follow the money…
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 31, 2018 @ 10:06 AM