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Arthritis Helps -

The dangers of Vioxx, manufactured by Merck, were discovered in 2000.  The study known as VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) showed an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes in patients taking Vioxx compared to patients taking naproxen.  This early warning was ignored for almost 4 years by prominent scientists within the FDA and Merck.   

A single attempt was made to warn the public about Vioxx.  This attempt failed. Dr. David J. Graham, associate director for science in the FDA Drug Center 's Office of Drug Safety, told Senate investigators that upon mentioning of the risks, he was “ostracized”, “subjected to veiled threats” and intimidated by co-workers at the pharmaceutically controlled FDA.    

The success of Vioxx was the result of ghost writing among medical journals, drug company worship by both medical doctors and shareholders and million dollar marketing campaigns ($100 million per year) paid for by the drug manufacturer.  Resultantly, the popularity of Vioxx and other NSAIDS gained surging momentum on the prescription drug market.  The cold hard facts of science cannot be ignored forever.  The Wall Street Journal reported that Merck & Co.’s Vioxx eventually led to more than 27,000 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths.  Still, Merck’s window of opportunity procured them $2.55 billion dollars annually.

Vioxx is not the only non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that poses huge risk to the general public.  It is estimated that 107,000 people are hospitalized every year for NSAID related gastrointestinal complications.  Adding to this, at least 16,500 NSAID-related deaths occur each year among arthritis patients. This figure, as reported by Dr. Gurkirpal Singh, is comparable to the number of deaths from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] and shows that NSAIDS contribute to as many deaths as multiple myeloma, asthma, and cervical cancer combined. 

These facts are shocking to a drug chemist like myself.  Isn’t the FDA supposed to protect the public from dangerous drugs?  Shouldn’t the American public be made aware of safe and effective natural alternative’s?  Apparently not, financial gains appear to be more important.  Because natural alternatives do not carry patent protection, drug manufacturers and the FDA will do little to promote them.  Combination therapy serve’s as a poignant example.       

Using three naturally occurring substances, anyone can safely and effectively prevent and overcome osteoarthritis.  Studies show that osteoarthritis is the result of our body lacking the ability to manufacture a molecule known as glucosamine  (perhaps due to age, poor diet or genetics).  This inability to manufacture glucosamine leads to a lack of collagen.