Have you or a loved one had trouble with or had a problem with prescription drugs? Have you experienced harmful side effects from medications or been misled by a drug company advertisement? We would like to hear your story, or any other comment you may have about your experience with prescription medicines.
In October of last year, Terri wanted to become involved in her state's special election in a real way. With each passing day, she became angrier about the TV ads the drug companies were constantly running to defeat real drug price reform.
As an e-activist with Consumers Union, Terri received an email from us in late October, asking for volunteers to come in to our West Coast Office in San Francisco to help reach voters by phone on Prop 79. Although she has a full-time job, Terri was excited to help out in any way she could, and she volunteered to make calls to voters one Sunday afternoon and one weeknight, for hours at a time!
After the election, Terri wrote in a note to Consumers Union, "Thank you, again, for the opportunity to 'do something' and for the lovely election night party you guys put on. The only thing that would have made it better would have been a vastly stronger showing -- and a WIN -- for 79. But at least 78 was also defeated, in spite of the money the drug companies spent.
You did have a great group of volunteers, and I was absolutely delighted to see how many young people were involved in the campaign. It gives me hope as to the political future...and that's no small thing to have."
We first contacted Laurie Yorke of Clark, NJ last year after we saw her on-line support group for those that have suffered from the side effects of Paxil and other anti-depressants. Three years ago, Laurie almost lost her then 15 year old son, Ryan due to a reaction to a off label use of Paxil. When Ryan started taking Paxil there were no warnings about suicide, aggression or personality changes. After a year on this drug she watched him change into someone she didn't recognize. He had gone from a social, A student to a lethargic, confrontational, failing student. It was during that time that Ryan attempted to take his own life. Desperate to find out what was happening to her son, Laurie started doing her own research on the Internet. It was after doing that research that ABC news reported that the drug's maker, GlaxoSmithKline, hid clinical trials from the public that showed an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents that were on Paxil. Laurie and Ryan were highlighted in that report. Laurie then started Ryan on a long withdrawal process from the drug. Today, Ryan is doing much better.
In the last year, Laurie has worked closely with Consumers Union's Prescription for Change campaign to prevent what happened to her son from happening to others. She has joined us in meetings with NJ legislators and has spoken at news conferences in support of legislation that would require drug companies to disclose the results of ALL their clinical studies, not just those with positive results. This legislation would give doctors and the public full information about possible dangerous side effects of medication. New Jersey has recently introduced clinical trial legislation. Over the next year, Laurie plans to work with Consumers Union and other NJ consumer groups to make sure this important legislation passes in her home state.
Kim Witczak and Eric Swan take the fight for good information about prescription drugs very seriously.
In 2003, Kim's husband and Eric's brother-in-law, Woody, filled a new prescription from his family doctor for the antidepressant, Zoloft to reduce insomnia and "help manage the stress of a new job." Woody had just taken a position as Vice President of Sales with a start up company about 2 months prior.
After 5 weeks of being on the drug--Woody took his own life. He had no history of mental illness, depression or any other problem. Woody was not warned about the need to be closely monitored when first going on the drug or when the dose was increased--the 3-week sample pack from Pfizer doubled the dosage from 25 - 50 mg. Last year, Kim Witczak contacted Consumers Union, after learning about our efforts to improve drug safety, and worked with us to schedule meetings with her representatives. Since then, Kim and Eric have met with Governor Pawlenty and Representative Jim Ramstad of Minnesota, among others. Rep. Ramstad became a joint co-sponsor of drug safety legislation in the House. Kim and Eric have also been helping to lead a campaign in MN to require drug companies to release the results of all clinical trials they conduct to doctors and the public, not just the ones that make their drugs look good. This legislation received bi-partisan support and widespread media attention. Also--over 3,000 Minnesotans wrote letters, made phone calls and signed Kim's petition in support of this bill.
This legislation may not have passed this year, but you can bet Kim and Eric will be back again next year to make sure this important patient safety bill becomes law.
Consumers Union and 17 great drug safety activists came to DC at the end of June for the FDA's one-hundreth anniversary. These activists told Congress their personal stories of suffering and prescription drug side effect problems. Together, we told the FDA and Congress to do more to protect our health and ensure medications on the market are safe.
We held a news conference and meet with members of the House and Senate that day. A group of bipartisan House members and two people with personal stories of suffering due to prescription drug side effects spoke at the news conference.
Ohio resident Cathy Harter met with Senator DeWine of Ohio personally. Cathy’s son, Stephen died due to a drug side effect that its maker knew about, but did not disclose to the public. Senator DeWine listened to her story and agreed to support drug safety legislation in Congress.
Everyone who cam to DC that day, came away inspired by our power to make change. These 17 activists have become leaders in a movement that will one day ensure that Congress and the FDA fix our broken drug safety system.
The Prescription for Change campaign will be working closely with these activists and we hope with YOU as well over the next year to make sure Congress acts this year and passes strong drug safety legislation.
Ellen has always cared about health care issues, but last November’s Special Election in California really pushed her to get more involved. Ellen worked closely with Consumers Union and other community activists to reduce drug costs by supporting Prop 79.
Ellen has firsthand experience dealing with high prescription drug costs, as her husband pays a lot for his medications every month. With a full-time job, Ellen found the time to connect Consumers Union to local community activists, who together distributed 3,000 "Yes on 79" doorhangers in her neighborhood.
Although Prop 79 was defeated at the polls, good prescription drug legislation will likely move in the legislature this year and Ellen will continue to work with Consumers Union online and offline to get a good bill passed.
