Articles by Dan Abshear
Opinion | By August 26, 2008 | By Dan Abshear | 2 Comments
Are Drug Reps Really Necessary?
One of the main functions of pharmaceutical representatives is to provide free samples to doctors’ offices instead of what has historically been their vocation: implementing authentic and ethical persuasion via presentations. Yet presently, samples are a priority and delivering them is the primary function for drug reps, and these samples in themselves cost billions to the pharmaceutical industry. Yet arguably, samples are the most influential tool in influencing the prescribing habit of the healthcare provider. Let me be clear on that point: it’s samples, not a representative, as the true catalyst of establishing the prescribing habits of a prescriber. Read more →
- A Television As Your Doctor?
- A Failed Attempt to Improve Perceived Greatness: The ENHANCE Trial
- The Human Injury of Lost Objectivity: An Insider’s Look into the Corruption of Clinical Trials
- Pharmaceutical Industry Exposed: Desire for an Ethical Resurrection
- Medicine Deception: Uncovering the Facts
We often see advertisements on television for some type of medication — usually one involved in a large-market disease and the commercial is sponsored by a big pharmaceutical company. This is called direct to consumer (DTC) advertising, and doctors would prefer they did not exist. Since 1997, when... Read more →
While it seems that sponsors of clinical trials usually end up with results that clearly favor their medicine, there are rare exceptions. Merck and Schering-Plough proved that with their disappointing ENHANCE Trial which many have heard about through the media. Vytorin is a combination pill for high... Read more →
If I were to rate the corruptive tactics performed by big pharmaceutical companies, the intentional corruption of implementing fabricated and unreliable results of clinical trials would be at the top of the list. Pharmaceutical companies manipulate the trials they sponsor because of their power to control... Read more →
If you have been in a doctor’s office, you’ve probably seen them. They are the ones that are unusually well dressed — considering their environment. They also are typically young, healthy, and attractive. And worst of all is that they typically pay absolutely no attention to you, the... Read more →
Here, I present just two of the many possible “unknowns” about the medications that are prescribed by health care providers: 1. The FDA requires two studies to show that a medication that is awaiting approval from the FDA is superior to a placebo — not exactly the best measurement of... Read more →
Saturday, July 4, 2009
- Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome
- Autism - No Need For A Cure?
- Are Humans Hard-Wired to Torture?
- Free Will and the Philosophy of Science
- Therapy and Medication - Where's the Breaking News?
- Emotions and the Brain
- Clearing the Haze - Is Marijuana Addictive?
- How Many Babies Is Too Many?
- Is Sugar the New Cocaine?
- What is Free Will?
- Reflections on Plasticity
- Recent Drug Warnings About Suicide
- Lithium as a Neuroprotectant?
- Logistical Barriers to Stem Cell Research
- Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Topical Morphine - An Experimental Approach to Chronic Pain
- Be a Doctor! The Hours are Great!
- Time for a Change - Gender Reassignment
- Is Obesity Contagious?
- The Hidden Dangers of Soy
- Why Do Schizophrenics Smoke Cigarettes?
- Prevention of Adolescent Depression
- Drugs and Pharmacology, Sixteenth Edition
- Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends
- Communication is Key to Appropriate Antibiotic Use
- Time for a Change – Gender Reassignment
- Common Treatment Ineffective for Autism
- Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome
- NSAIDs – Prevention or Just Delay of Dementia?
- What is Proprioception?
- Who Should Decide the Survivability of Newborns?
- Reflections on Plasticity
- Death and Dying in Tough Economic Times
- Medicate or Educate? – Just Pop a Polypill
- Dressing for Success? – the White Coat Dilemma
- What is Free Will?
- Clearing the Haze – Is Marijuana Addictive?
- Migraine Uncovered – Interview with Dr. Cady, Headache Expert
- Brain Blogging, Forty-Fifth Edition
- Barriers to Emergency Contraception
- "Absolute total BS. I have been smoking since age 12 and am now 42. I feel FINE ...
- It was rather the author, not the individuals' experiences that I had a problem ...
- Low blood sugar and high caffeine intake are also characteristic of many active ...
- As, I had a short 4-day trip to the mental hospital I can attest, almost all of ...
- How dare you tell me I experience no withdrawals? Who are you and what makes yo...
- Neither profession is more important than the other. I say this as a practicing ...
- I would imagine, to you....
- "You are also profiteering off of those who are “addicted,” and there’s usually ...
- I have been THC free for many years (after many years of daily use) and never ex...
- Please take a look at this article and see that we paranoid pro-pot-people have ...
- Bryan,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If you are equating food or exercise ...
- Samantha, you're in a ridiculous state of denial about marijuana addiction. I wa...
- From my own experience it is very important to look into hormone disturbances. I...
- Hello, I am not at all opposed to the idea that marijuana can be addictive for s...
- I agree with Joseph's comment and many of the points that Samantha makes as well...
- Plasticity just makes me happy. You should read or hear what the program all in ...
- Great post, I have been studying depression also. But I took another approach.
...
- Cognative behavioral therapy for some adolescents in a productive enviornment wi...
- Not BS!!!!! I'm 24 years old and I never smoked Marijuana more than twice a year...
- The author is certainly taking a beating from those who seem a little defensive ...
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