I was reading about Cephalon and its attempts to convince the FDA that one of its drugs "Sparlon" was not harmful. This is when I came across "Stevens-Johnson" Syndrome.
(Link: http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/stocks/biotech/10279939.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA)
It is a deadly, but little known syndrome. More information, about the condition is available from the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation , a non-profit organization that strives to spread awareness and support among the general public.
The condition arises, as a result of adverse reaction to drugs, and according to links on the organization's websites, could cause more than 100,000 deaths a year. For something this huge, the lack of awareness, is quite surprising.
The basic reason behind the problem, is the low percentage of adverse drug reactions reported to the FDA. Perhaps its time the FDA generated a mechanism to dispense information about the syndrome, about similar problems, and also advised the public, and hospitals on efficient methods of reporting that can be adopted.
When I buy the next bottle of drugs, I am going to watch out. I hope, if you are reading this, you do the same thing!
Here are some more links on the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome:
eMedicine: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic555.htm
http://www.skinassn.org/
Google offers several hundred other links. By the way, I do hope Cephalon is able to get its drug approved, provided it is safe from Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Having been (and probably still being) a patient with undiagnosed hyperactive attention deficit, I would support anything that saves young people from the problem!
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