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Celebrity Hard Sell

By On · Add Comment · In Abbot Labratories, celebrities, drugs, HIV, Kaletra, Magic Johnson

Here we go again: Celebrities being used to sell pharmaceuticals to a trusting public. Ah, always trust a celebrity, that’s this country’s motto. Oprah, Ellen, Magic, Omarosa–the celeb matters not; famous name, the product must be good. Well this time a drug maker has gotten scolded. Bad drug maker, bad–now go to your room.

According to a recent report, Abbot Laboratories, makers of a new HIV drug have been using Laker’s legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, in their promotional DVD for the drug, Kaletra. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a warning letter to the pharmaceutical company ordering them to cease dissemination of what they label as “misleading information.”

The FDA states that the DVD provides only anecdotal information (personal account) on Magic Johnson’s personal experience with the drug, and offers no substantial evidence. They also go on to say that the DVD is misleading in that it presents Kaletra as “safer and more effective than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience, and encourage use in circumstances other than those for which the drug has been shown to be safe and effective.”

Tsk, tsk, tsk…the folly of it all. Listen, drug companies know that the American public worships celebrity. So they know that attaching a big name to their product will increase sales substantially. Good job by the FDA for catching this bunkum. And damn Magic, stick to NBA analysis (awright, throw in a little Fatburger)–don’t go selling your soul, man. If that drug doesn’t turn out to be what Abbot Labs is claiming in their propaganda, or even worse, if it turns out bad, then you’re in the doghouse. Why bother? I know in today’s world, it must be the money (sung in my best Deion Sanders), but I’m certain that doing one’s due diligence on a product one is to endorse is the wisest approach.

Anyway, the DVD has been pulled, and Abbot Labs has been ordered to come up with a “comprehensive plan of action to disseminate truthful, non-misleading, and complete corrective messages about the issues discussed in this letter to the audiences that received the violative promotional materials.” And they’ve got only until July 28, 2009 to do it. I think they should get Larry Bird in on that one. What do you think?

The New Wellness Industry–Good Health or Great Marketing?

By On · Add Comment · In anti-aging, celebrities, Dr. Nick Show, HRT, wellness, wellness industry

This month on the Dr. Nick Show (Episode 6) I discuss the boom in the wellness industry. Wellness as a concept–and as a way of life–is a good thing right? Yes, of course, but you’ve got to watch out for for the snake oil salesmen or the pretenders. Listen to this month’s episode for a better idea of where they’re trying to get you–and it may not be wellness at all; just a good ol’ jump on the bandwagon.

Here is a quick list of celebrities who are attaching themselves to the wellness industry:

A well-known television psych dabbling in the weight-loss game.

A mega-millionaire motivational guru who pushes all wellness, all the time.

A convicted conman whose made millions with the best selling health book of all time.

A former prime-time diva whose now pushing anti-aging and HRT.

Hey, maybe this stuff is your thing. Cool! Just beware. The term wellness increases the price tag significantly, so buyer beware.

Here are a few celebrity-endorsed products I’m waiting for:

  • 50 Cent’s 9 Bullets Liquid Diet.
  • Lindsey Lohan’s Hollywood Diet….snorrrt!
  • Roger Clemens’ Three Shots in the Ass (but thought it was B12) Workout.
  • Eddie Murphy’s new book on sexual wellness: Screw Anything that Moves.

Now that I’d like to see.

Are Chiropractors Real Doctors?

By On · Add Comment · In celebrities, chiropractic, chiropractor, medical doctors, professional athletes, quacks
In the latest episode of The Dr. Nick Show (Episode 5) we discussed the question: Are chiropractors real doctors? Consider these knocks against my esteemed profession:

  • Not Educated–Chiropractors complete 4485 hours of study, MDs 4248. Chiropractors get more anatomy, neurology, diagnosis, x-ray, and orthopedics. Medical doctors, on the other hand, get no chiropractic training at all. Hmmm. See the full academic curriculum at my chiropractic alma mater.
  • Quacks–A quack is a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess–sounds like those Dr 90210 boys.
  • Shamelessly sell themselves–Uh huh. And what’s this? Or this? Or this? Hey, I got nothing against shameless selling–wanna buy a book?
  • Not Recognized–Chiropractors are not recognized by any worthwhile institution outside of the Supreme Court, the federal government, state governments, Medicare, the Veteran Administration, and most insurance companies–
  • Not Prestigious–Chiropractors practice all over the world, and treat people from all walks of life including professional athletes, attorneys, auto mechanics, bankers, celebrities, doctors, farmers, mothers, psychologists, and on and on and on….
  • Just Not Real Doctors–doctor in Latin means teacher. Chiropractors have historically been the quintessential teachers of health and wellness, so chiropractors are literally doctors. If any other health care professional treats but does not teach, then perhaps they might need to reconsider the title.

So there you have it. If you still think that chiropractors aren’t real doctors…well, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion; however, let me be the first to tell you that the world is not flat, it does revolve around the sun, women can vote, and that club you’re carrying went out of style millennia ago. Unghhhh!!!

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