On Thu, 18 Oct 2001, mferro wrote:
>
>
> / dave / wrote:
> >
> > The war on terrorism has provided yet another opportunity for the U.S.
> > to maintain its standing as leader in the hypocrisy stakes. Suddenly the
> > U.S. thinks the health of citizens is more important than the profits of
> > a drug company. The BBC correspondent puts it succinctly (real audio
> > link, not in article):
> >
>
> >From www.tetrahedron.org:
>
> Health Activist Reports ABC News to the FBI for Anthrax Story: Peter
> Jennings Caught "Wagging the Dog" for Bayer Company Profits
>
> Sandpoint, ID - Terrorist groups and the mob in New York are not the
> only ones profiting from the recent attacks on America. ABC News, along
> with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are being accused of
> "wagging the dog" for Bayer, and price gouging the government and
> panicked American's seeking protection against anthrax. A conspiracy to
> commit fraud has been reported to the FBI and members of congress.
>
> According to ABC News (Thur. Sept. 27),
> sales of Bayer's antibiotic Cipro have skyrocketed 1,000 percent since
> September 11th. Peter Jennings reported anxious consumers are spending
> $700 per person for a two-month supply of the drug.
> Alternative antibiotics effective against anthrax are readily available
> for as little as $20. In an open letter to FBI officials and members of
> congress, Dr. Leonard Horowitz, a consumer health advocate, and Harvard
> School of Public Health graduate, is urging an investigation. At issue
> is the unprecedented July 29, 2000 single drug endorsement by the FDA
> for Cipro. A conspiracy to commit fraud is indicated.
>
> Black's Law Dictionary defines fraud as "a concealment of a material
> fact to induce another to act to his or her injury." "In this context,"
> Dr. Horowitz wrote, "ABC's special segment on anthrax and Cipro sales
> may be seen as a form of 'white collar bioterrorism.' Through this savvy
> and fraudulent form of drug promotion, consumers are being
> disadvantaged, over-charged, and placed at risk of injury from the
> potentially dangerous side effects of an antibiotic that offers no
> significant advantage over less costly alternatives for anthrax." A list
> of alternative antibiotics recommended for anthrax is provided on the
> doctor's website at http://www.tetrahedron.org.
>
> --Mike Ferro
>