New at Reason

Julian Sanchez | February 2, 2005

When it comes to medical regulation, Kerry Howley says we could learn a lesson in liberty from... Myanmar? Yep, Myanmar.

Comments

sage|2.2.05 @ 2:58PM|#

"In an age of empowerment through information, it is mind-boggling that patients are still willing to be silent spectators while their doctors call the shots. "

I can see Mr. Howley's point here, but if I had to listen to either (a) my doctor, or (b) the FDA, about whether a med is OK for me, I'll listen to my doctor any day.

On an unrelated note, they may call it Myanmar, but it will always be Burma to me. ;-)

|2.2.05 @ 2:58PM|#

"But the effect on my colleagues in Myanmar was more, not less, attention to proper diagnosis and dosage. When doctors are seen as consultants rather than demi-gods, patients are forced to accept responsibility. Uniquely aware of our own medical histories and issues, we kept up on potential new medications better than our doctors, who had rosters of disparate patients to consider. Sure, we could have shred our livers by overdosing on anti-malarial meds, but the freedom to mess with our internal machinery was never much incentive to do it."

(boldface mine)

She hits on a great point here...but the reality, which I think she realizes, is that the FDA-AMA pharmaceutical monopoly has nothing to do with saving us from ourselves. That is a mere cover-your-ass excuse that they have come up with to preserve their rent-seeking thrones upon high. I just think that she's beating the red herring here, arguing against something that is A) an incredibly weak argument to begin with, and B) not even the real reason behind the injustice.

Even she realizes this when she says, "On the rare occasion that any of these comes up for over-the-counter status, a coalition of doctors stands ready to slam easy access. This isn't surprising in a system where the arbiters of choice are the very people who stand to lose most if patients are empowered. For every medication that makes the leap from prescription to OTC, the gatekeepers of American medicine shed financial gain and social prestige. Like early Catholic priests jealously guarding their bibles, FDA advisors tell us we can�t understand the sacred texts of medicine or simply follow basic directions."

That's the real crux---a rent-seeking conspiracy between the FDA, the AMA and its doctors, and the pharmaceutical giants. What I don't understand is why Kerry descends into an argument about whether or not the government should be protecting us from ourselves. That isn't the issue...and Kerry was just fine before she basically went back to playing the game that they want us to play...because as long as we're arguing about whether or not we should have the freedom to take drugs without doctors' consent, then the Conspirators have diverted everyone's attention away from the real reason.

Frankly, I refuse to play that game anymore.

|2.2.05 @ 4:03PM|#

As a slight side note, the Bush FDA has been going after Mifeprex (RU-486) as well, reversing itself, recinding previous decisions, and so on. Glad the FDA is so free of political bias!

sage|2.2.05 @ 4:33PM|#

Oops! Is Howley a she? My bad. And my apologies, Ms. Howley.

|2.2.05 @ 4:41PM|#

...beating a red herring...

Isn't that in another thread today? PPV anyone?