Not All Drugs Are the Same After All
By LESLEY ALDERMAN, NY Times
 LET me start by saying I’m a fan of generic drugs. They save Americans billions of dollars each year and give us access to wonderful drugs at affordable prices. I’ve recommended generics in this column many times and use them myself when possible.
But there is a gnawing concern among some doctors and researchers that certain prescription generic drugs may not work as well as their brand-name counterparts. The problem is not pervasive, but it’s something consumers should be aware of — especially now that more insurers insist that patients take generic medications when they are available.
“But when you’re taking a seizure medication, the therapeutic window is narrow,” Dr. Meador said. “If the absorption of the drug is slightly different between brand and generic or between generics, then the patient could have a seizure, and that seizure could lead to serious injury or perhaps even death.” |
Let me also prepare the groundwork for what I hope will be full and frank reader comments, by acknowledging that this issue is controversial.
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Anonymous donors come to the rescue of 80 autistic children
by Amanda Stanzilis / KENS 5
 It was terrifying and traumatic for dozens of families.
Last week, 80 autistic children were suddenly without a school after Treehouse Pediatrics administrators announced they had to close their doors., immediately and permanently. Parents were overwhelmed, and you can imagine the panic of the teachers who were suddenly without a job just before the holidays.
"the 80 autistic children were left out in the cold. The autism community network immediately stepped in. |
Treehouse Pediatrics said they had to close their doors because of three months of non-payment from Tri-Care, which is a military health-care insurance provider.
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Center’s inclusive program promotes activity
Mary Chao – Staff writer
 Gia Carroll was looking to integrate activities for her two sons, Jack, 10, who has autism spectrum disorder, and Joey, 7, who is developing typically.
Through her work as president of the nonprofit UNYFEAT, or Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment, Carroll found the Super Saturdays program at the Pieters Family Life Center in Henrietta, which incorporates activities for the entire family.
The Super Saturdays program is designed to promote physical activity and encourage socialization for children who have developmental disabilities and their siblings. |
“Because the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder can be very complex, it is difficult to find professionals in the recreational field that understand the needs and know how to present and teach the skills necessary for them to successfully participate in these activities,” says Carroll, of Irondequoit.
The Super Saturdays program is designed to promote physical activity and encourage socialization for children who have developmental disabilities and their siblings. Fitness sessions range from baseball and soccer clinics to a class tailored to the younger set called “Little Movers.” Music therapy in a group setting is also offered to help with socialization and self-esteem.
The programs allow children with special needs to get involved in sports activities with their siblings who may or may not have special needs. |
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Autism - CDC Avoids The Elephant in The Room
ATLANTA, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A study released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that autism prevalence has increased a staggering 57% from the 1994 rate of 1 in 150 to 1 in 110 for children born in 1996. SafeMinds is extremely dissatisfied with CDC's lack of commitment to researching environmental causes and the timing of their announcement.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) chairman, Dr. Tom Insel, said that better diagnosis and reporting could not "explain away this huge increase," and that "there is no question that there has got to be an environmental component here." |
Mark Blaxill, SafeMinds Director told FoxNews.com, "I would say that releasing something the Friday before Christmas is about as deep as you can bury something."
CDC's Catherine Rice said, "We know there are multiple complex genetic and environmental factors which result in multiple forms of autism and we have much to learn about the causes." However, absent from CDC's press conference and subsequent call with autism advocacy groups were specifics on the types of environmental exposures to be investigated. They skirted questions about potential environmental causes and avoided using words like "toxic exposures" or "pollutants" despite very pointed questions from advocates.
Insel also stated, "It's quite believable to me that there are many children who develop autism in the context of having severe gut pathology, of having autoimmune problems, of having lots of other problems. And some of these kids really do recover." |
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