QDIS Blog

Notes on the Senate Vote on FDA Commissioner

by Ed Vawter @ 5:22 pm. Filed under FDA

The Senate is going to have a vote on Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach. Here are my thought and notes while watching it on C-SPAN 2.

Ted Kennedy D-MA is up talking about the importance of having a leader at the FDA. Going over the qualifications of Dr. von Eschenbach. Noted he swiftly dealt wit the Plan B over the counter situation.

Mike Enzi R-WY is now talking about the importance of having a confirmed FDA leader. Mentioned the first time having a doctor to head up the FDA in a long time. Mentioned the importance of full authority several times. Mentioned the FDA oversees drugs, food, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and more. 25% of all American spending is overseen by the FDA.

Bill Frist R-TN is now talking. Mentioned the 100th anniversary of the FDA. Knows Dr. von Eschenbach professionally as doctors and that he is an exceptional leader. Called him the ideal candidate.

Calling the roll…..

Many more yea votes than nay votes and it looks like he will indeed be confirmed.

Andrew von Eschenbach is confirmed 80-11

Votes against were by Santorum, Inhofe, Vitter, Grassley, Talent, Dement, Dewine, Brownback, Bacchus, Voinovich, Snowe,

It is good to see that the FDA will finally have a full confirmed commissioner. Let’s hope it stays that way for a while.

Technorati Tags: FDA Commissioner, von Eschenbach

Email Ed Vawter

Prescription Drugs and OTC Products

by Ed Vawter @ 2:52 pm. Filed under Health News

I have had some thought on the situation of drugs being sold over the counter and prescription drugs. I couple of years ago I was taking Claritin for my allergies and it worked well. When it went OTC, it ended up costing me more because my insurance co-pay was less than the cost of the drug as an over-the-counter product. In my case, I switched to Flonase (and eventually its generic equivalent) sinc my doctor thought it was better to treat my symptoms locally with a nasal spray rather than systemically with pills. I know of other people who switched from Claritin to either Zyrtec or Allegra since these were covered by their insurance.

The problem of cost is made difficult because in many cases, it is cheaper for an individual with medical insurance which covers drugs to get a prescription drug rather than buying an over-the-counter medicine, even though the overall cost may be lower for the OTC product.

Drug pricing is a complex issue and one that will be only continue to grow in the coming years.

Technorati Tags: drug cost, drug price

Email Ed Vawter

Senate Ends Debate on FDA Nominee; vote later today?

by Ed Vawter @ 11:51 am. Filed under FDA

Just recently the Senate voted 89 to 6 to end debate on Dr. Andrew von Eshenbach for FDA Commissioner. This sets up a vote for later today (Dec 7, 2006)

ABC News: Senate moves ahead on Bush pick to lead FDA:

I look at this as good news! It seems that some of the holds have been overcome and there should be a vote today. THis is indeed good news and I look forward to him being confirmed. THe FDA has been leaderless for far too much of the time in the past few years.

Technorati Tags: FDA

Email Ed Vawter