The FDA strikes again

Why do so many people consider FDA approval so important? Once again, it has been proven that they are a bogus organization, little more than a trade organization for pharmceutical companies.According to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine (and reported in the Star Ledger 1-26-06) aprotinin, a drug widely used to control bleeding during heart surgery, is dangerous. It increases heart attacks 48%, heart failure by 109% and stroke by 181%. The study also concluded that increased side effects from this drug costs $1 billion per year world-wide. Surprisingly, Bayer, the manufacturer of aprotinin under the name Trasylol, has disputed the findings of the independent study. By the way, generic substitutions are available at 10% of the cost that work as well at stopping bleeding without the risks. The FDA is looking into the study.