Most of this MSN article will not be big news for many of us. Note, they don't even mention Fenfen, the diet drug, or several others that have proven that the fast track can kill.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp...tid=100198246&page=1

I know when people and their loved ones are suffering, they often urge the FDA to fast track relief, but then so do the drug companies when they need to make back a lot of money before the truth leaks out ( Ok that was above cynical, sorry). Recently the issue of begging the FDA to prematurely approve a new use for an existing drug arose. At least in that case some of the side affects and contra- indications are known elements.

This article is a timely caution, but we should never be without hope.

Let's not forget all those commercials that promise fast relief and speedtalkthroughthesideeffects.
I don't think the demand for undertested drugs would be half as great if the drug companies were under the same advertising restrictions as tobacco and alcohol.

FDA approval of existing drugs for a new use has nothing to do with the patent, and doesn't affect the patent term. It relates to whether medicare and other insurance will pay for the treatment, and whether the drug can be marketed for that purpose.

now they are warning about an allergy meds, signiture, that may cause one to commit suicide.
I have always believed the people become their testing tubes.
I recall taking viox and it was great.But some has serious problems.
How many times have we seen doctos revert back to old drugs?Why, because they have past the test of time and do what they were intended to do.Many times the company who manufactures these drugs puts pressure on the FDA through a third party
When we are so desperate for meds that help we are sucked into the hipe .That is their intention.Desperate people do desperate things.
I had a friend who took part in a trial of a new meds for arthritis.In the end she was addicted to the meds that had opium in it.She had a very rough time.
She signed all her rights away when joining the program.We have to be so cautious when this drug companies make these promises about new drugs.

IMHO, drug patents are the BIGGEST problem with meds today!! If we did not allow patenting of drugs or for a MUCH shorter period of time, there would be more incentive to do a GOOD job for the purposes intended rather than make obscene profits for the companies and their shareholders.