Jenna's latest update
They are still working on getting the forum databases.
But here's the thing that's odd. The web site for the Department of English for St. John's lists the degrees offered, and they do not offer the Ph.D. -- just an MA and something called a D.A., which I've never heard of. Now, maybe St. John's offered a Ph.D. in 1979 and has dropped the program. But I wonder. Anyone in the NYC area might consider wandering over to the St. John's library to see what Bab's dissertation was about, if there is one, because the library would keep them all, even if never published.This St. John's "alumni in the news" page lists a "Barbara Mangano Bauer '71G, '79Ph.D" who performed at the New York Comedy Club in November". (from Google cache) It does appear that our Barbara is an actress/singer under the name Barbara Mangano (if you scroll to the bottom of the page it says she is a literary agent with Barbara Bauer Literary Agency). Her dissertation may be under that name.
(This is fun!)
The issue has finally made its way to Usenet, where there are warnings about Barbara Bauer Literary Agency dating back to at least 1997. How has she stayed in business so long?
This is a terrible situation. I can't imagine what it would be like to be denied essential medication.
It is ridiculous that the FDA will not allow doctors and patients to make an informed risk-benefit analysis and decide whether to take the drug (or not). I suspect that part of the problem is that some doctors prescribe whatever is well-advertised or pushed by the local drug rep without determining if it is the best course for the patient, putting some of their patients unnecessarily at risk for complications (although it sounds like the 1999 warning label did its job). Drug companies that want an excuse to discontinue a less profitable medication are probably quick to comply with the FDA without putting up a fight. Ultimately, the people who lose are those that really do need the drug, in spite of the possible side effects.
Upthread Daniel Martin pointed to a couple of the Congressional committees to target with letters. Those do seem to be the most appropriate. I thought I would expand a little with a longer list. According to the FDA, these are the Congressional committees with "FDA-Related Responsibilities":
Senate
(click on the links to the full lists of committee members)
- Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
House of Representatives
(click the links to see the lists of committee members)
- Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
-- Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health
-- Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
- Committee on Government Reform
-- Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs, and International Relations
I imagine that a letter to my own local Representative or a Senator representing my state would carry more weight than a message to a Congressperson who does not directly represent me, so that is where my letters are going. The FDA has clearly shown that it is vulnerable to political pressure; I hope we can make a difference in this case.
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
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