Remember yesterday I posted this chart that showed pharmaceutical profit percentages? (Xanax has a 570% markup! Yes, you read that right…) Well, now I’ve got more shocking information for you.
First, I feel the need to give my “pharmaceutical bashing disclaimer”:
Yes, there are times in life when we may be very thankful for certain medications. And I’m sure that not all those in the pharmaceutical industry are crooked money mongers. There may even come a day when a medication could help to save our lives…but it won’t be a cholesterol medication, I’m confident of that.
“But you didn’t refill your TriCor!”
As I told you the other day, my sister has been getting into real food more and more (yahoooo!) and has seen dramatic changes in her blood sugar, blood pressure, energy levels and her weight, too. From all of her reading, she’s also decided to go off her cholesterol meds. So she got this big wad of papers from the pharmacy the other day:
Dear Terri,
We noticed the date for your refill of TriCor has passed. We understand that there are many reasons you may not have ordered your refill. Maybe your doctor has changed your medication, your benefits have changed, or you’ve gone to a different pharmacy. However, if you’re still taking this medication, we’re concerned about you and how well your condition is being managed…”
It goes on with more mumbo jumbo and at the bottom it says this:
This message was developed by your pharmacy. Abbot Laboratories funded the cost of this mailing and paid a fee to your pharmacy for its distribution.”
Isn’t that considerate of them?
The helpful enclosed information lets you know to be sure and use TriCor with a diet “low in saturated fat and cholesterol”, and says that you should choose a “heart-healthy diet” rich in:
- Fruits & vegetables
- Whole grains
- High-fiber foods
- Poultry with the skin removed
- Lean meats and fish
- Fat-free or low-fat dairy products
The really great part (dripping with sarcasm here) is that if you follow their advice, you’ll go on to need LOTS more of Abbot Laboratory's drugs in the future!
Side effects listed on their information:
- Increased liver enzymes
- Gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas
- Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
- Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Respiratory problems
Oh and by the way…
“TriCor has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attack.”
More you might like:
- How do you know who to believe?
- Statins after a heart attack? – read about my brother-in-law’s heart scare.
- Read about Mike’s follow-up appointment at the heart doc.
- Read the truth about healthy fats (more statin info toward the bottom).
- How difficult was it for you to give up the low-fat mentality? (Share your story!)
- I get a small commission on any items you order through my Amazon link, and right now they have 50% off on certain Kitchen & Home items.
(Thank you!)
- Have you seen this trailer for the movie, Side Effects? (Note: it’s not appropriate for kids.)
(Thank you!)- I decided at the last minute to throw up the following trailer, too. It's from a movie I saw last year called, “Food Matters.” I seem to remember a bit of a push toward vegetarianism in the movie, but this trailer does have some great sound bites that you'll love if you haven't seen it. (Have you read, “Are Meat Eaters Ruining the Earth?”)
tina says
I, too, got a letter from my county telling me that my son was behind on his vaccinations. I keep thinking there will be a law passed that our insurance will be canceled unless I vaccinate my child.
Virginia says
Sending a resounding AMEN!!
Have you seen this new report? “All kids should have cholesterol tests” https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66B0RG20100712 Makes my blood boil!
Alex at A Moderate Life says
Hi Kel, finally back from being away and trying to get caught up on all my favorite blogs! As the child of a physician who tried the natural ways before prescribing ANY medication I have seen this trend escalate out of control. I remember the day I decided enough was enough when I had 22 of the 25 side effects on my muscle relaxant that I used to alleviate my post lymes syndrome. When i told my doctor that I had gone off the medication they said they could no longer see me because I was not medicated. That was the last straw. I refuse to be a drugged up zombie and I refuse to allow the pharmaceutical companies to make a profit from my body. Simple as pie! Thanks for posting this great article!
WordVixen says
Kelly- there seems to be an errant “2010” in your statins link. Here’s the URL I found through your search: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/03/statins-after-a-heart-attack.html
KitchenKop says
Thanks Lori, I fixed it! 🙂
Kelly
Lorna says
I worked as a pharmacy tech for a while and quit because I got so tired of seeing all the elderly spending all their money for cholesterol lowing drugs. ( among other useless ones).
The final straw was when I had to dispense 35 different drugs to a couple. I just couldn’t believe it.
It was an eye opening job after being out of the medical field ,30 some years to raise my kids.
I decided that we were not going to go down that road.
So thankful I am not a pharmacist that had to work there to pay back school
loans.
leah says
Hi Kelly. I am so supportive of your site, sister! (The other one too, btw.) I was thrilled to see you stopped by. Until recently, I have been one of those “blog stalkers” that doesn’t leave a comment, but now that I blog myself, I’ve upted the ante a bit. lol. So glad to hear about your sister. I’m still trying to get mine off of birth control pills and cigs, but God is working in her for sure. OH HOW I DESPISE BIG PHARMA! The more people shouting from the rooftops, the better. Blessings to you, and I hope to get to know you better 🙂 My family is soon to embark upon the gaps diet, so you’re site will surely be an even more valuable resource. Peace out~
Kate says
Yeah, that’s why I hate the pharmaceutical companies in general. As you said, I’m sure there are rare instances where their drugs could be helpful (like, you know, if we hadn’t all developed antibiotic resistance and there was some huge, crazy thing — or, of course, trauma in an accident or something). But…seriously??
I’ve started telling everyone how we eat fat and how much we like it. Just in random conversations. Someone I barely know asked me what I had for dinner last week. I said “burgers and fries” (grass-fed and organic and all homemade of course!). She said “Oh, so good, but kind of a rare treat.” So I said “No, we like fat, so it’s all good!” ha.
Yay for your sister doing so much better!!
Sarah says
I got a letter once like that regarding the vaccinations I was delaying for my children . . . needless to say I was not pleased. Who are you to a)tell me how to parent my children, b) question my decisions, and c) who gave my doctor permission to sell my personal information (i.e. address and medical decisions) to another company? Pretty sure I signed a confidentiality paper before we saw the doctor in the first place . . . Can anyone say, “Big Brother” mentality? Ugh.
I’m glad your sister is doing well! Great post!
Best,
Sarah
Robin says
Wow. Just wow. That letter… well… anger I guess is the only word that comes to mind.
Heather H. says
My mother is a Dr of Naturopathy in Alaska, the Eskimo’s that she treats there regularly have cholesterol levels over 2,000 and are perfectly healthy for it. They literally eat the fatty parts of the walrus, seal, polar bear, etc.. and feed the muscle meat (steak!) to the sled dogs.