QDIS Blog

I just want to recommend that everyone to vote in tomorrows election. I had a post earlier on some sources for information that I recommend you take a look at.

Also, be aware that if there are problems, please report them. First try your local election official and make them aware of the issue. If that doesn’t work, try calling The Election Incident Reporting System (EIRS) at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683). Also, if there are major problems then let you local media know. Be sure and make the general public aware of any problems that may occur. Many votes will be cast on electronic system for the first time in a national election. The only way these problems will be addressed is for the public to be made aware of the number and extent of the problems.

Make sure that your choices are EXACTLY the way you want it before hitting the final vote button. Always check to make sure your choices are correctly reflected on the confirmation screen. If you have questions, ask a local offical for help. If you have problems getting your vote to be recorded correctly, let the election official know immediately.

Also note that if you are told there is a problem with you voting, ask for a provisional ballot. This allows you to vote and then get any matter cleaer up within a specific period of time which varies from state to state.

Take advantage of your right to vote and make your voice known.

Technorati Tags: election, vote

Email Ed Vawter

Bookmark it with: | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | Simpy | Spurl | My Yahoo! |

Well as I’ve said previously the merger mania continues and now Abbott Labs is in the mix. They are going to purchase Kos Pharmaceuticals for $3.7 billion in cash!

Abbott Labs buys Kos Pharma for $3.7B - Yahoo! News

This is a 56% premium over the Kos stock price on Friday Nov 3. Abbott purchased Kos for basically one produce, Niaspan, which is one of a very few drugs that raise HDL (good) cholesterol. It should be pointed out that this is simply an extended release form of niacin.

There are other niacin forms available over the counter that also increase good cholesterol. I know because my doctor recommended I take it and I have been for over a year now. Niacin use to be used quite a bit before the statin drugs were available and it does a good job but has the side effect of causing flushing. Flushing is a redness of the head and neck and can be itchy and uncomfortable. I know because I purchased some cheaper versions of niacin and had flushing with some of the capsules. I think the quality control on that particular brand wasn’t very good. I switched back to my usual brand of non-flushing formula of niacin and haven’t had any problems. I should say though that I haven’t had my cholesterol checked since being on niacin and so can’t say yet whether or not it is working for me.

Back to the merger. I personally think Abbott may be paying to much for Kos based on their pipeline of currently marketed drugs. The major area for Kos has been cholesterol therapies and that is a very crowded area with many blockbuster statins either now generic or soon to be generic. Kos’s other drug is Advicor and is a combination of Niaspan and lovastatin. I know Abbott wants to get into the cholesterol drug business put I feel this may be too much to pay.

Technorati Tags: Abbott Labs, good cholesterol, Kos Pharmaceuticals, pharma M&A, pharmaceutical deals, HDL cholesterol, puppy

Email Ed Vawter

Bookmark it with: | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | Simpy | Spurl | My Yahoo! |