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Health Freedom in Jeopardy…ladies, wake up

Some of our readers are well aware of this situation that initially began in October 2005. For those of you who are not familiar with the antics of big pharma, please read on.

In 2002 the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study was put to an abrupt STOP due to a significant increase of heart disease, stroke and breast cancer from the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a synthetic form of estrogen and progestin, better known as imposters. Shortly thereafter, on the heels of this devastating report, the Lancet reported on the Million Women Study in the United Kingdom with similar results, however, in addition, it reported that the combination of synthetic hormones, including progestin and estrogen together or estrogen alone, increased the risk of breast cancer.

Despite this evidence, the medical community has been slow to curb the use of these hormones. Women, on the other hand have been exploring alternatives due to the fear of this evidence and have taken steps to learn about safer and more effective interventions.

As early as the 1930s, studies showed that high doses of estrogen alone caused blood clots, miscarriage and cancers of the breast, cervix and endometrium and in 2002 the EPA classified estrogen as a carcinogen. We must be a culture short on memory. Is there any wonder why this synthetic hormone is leaving devastation in its path?

For over 25 years, women have been using natural progesterone crème and other bio-identical hormones, as they are now called, to safely alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, breast tenderness, insomnia and other symptoms related to the pre and post menopause cycle. These hormones are readily available over the counter or produced by compounding pharmacists. Since this time, there have been no reports of lack of safety, death or disability, due to the use of natural hormones, which by the way, replicate our own body’s hormone production. Only positive and glowing results have been reported not only through scientific studies, but by women who have now regained back their vitality.

Now herein lays the problem. Wyeth Pharmaceutical Company, the maker of conjugated estrogen (a combination of several estrogens) better known as PREMARIN, made from pregnant mares urine, and PREMPRO, wants to remove your right to choose safe, effective and natural, bio-identical hormones and regulate your choice of health treatments. Wyeth has filed a "Citizens Complaint" with the FDA on October 16, 2005, requesting that the FDA effectively prohibit compounding pharmacies from providing bio-identical hormones to consumers. Wyeth appears to be claiming that compounding pharmacies that promote bio-identical hormones are making unsubstantiated claims that are not backed by sufficient science. Yet, the two major studies noted above reported scientific evidence that the synthetic form of estrogen and progestin, Wyeth’s drug, is dangerous! Why is it still available on the market?

This means that you would no longer be able to get your bio-identical hormones from the local store or from anyone else. Although the official docket will close April 4, 2006 it is imperative that women contact the FDA. (see below)

Wyeth has seen a dramatic decline in the sales of their counterfeit hormones. Wyeth's financial reports, which are available online at http://www.wyeth.com, indicate a 68% decline in sales of Premarin between 2002-2004 and a 72% decline precipitously in their profits. Tens of thousands of women have replaced Premarin for bio-identical hormones. Could it be that Wyeth is simply trying to stop its losses and regain its market share? Wyeth wants to force women to take their dangerous synthetic hormones by eliminating the competition from bio-identical hormones available in stores and/or prepared by compounding pharmacies, thus jeopardizing your ability to make personal healthcare decisions for your own body.

Having reviewed hundreds of studies and scanning the health headlines daily it is obvious that the very powerful pharmaceutical industry is lobbying to steal your rights to natural approaches for healthy living. Bio-identical hormones are just the beginning. One may ask how big pharma could claim that the very hormones we produce naturally are illegal and dangerous? It’s simple. They use their lobbying powers.

Cynthia Pearson, Executive Director of the National Women’s Health Network states, “Pharmaceutical companies control what studies get funded, who gets paid for doing them where (and whether or not) those studies are published, and how the studies are interpreted.”

The FDA receives drug user fees, totaling millions of dollars, from pharmaceutical companies for the drugs they sell. The less drugs that Wyeth or any other drug company sells, the less money the FDA makes. The FDA collects no drug user fees from compounding pharmacies because they are regulated by the states, not the federal government, therefore, compounding pharmacies are not a lucrative deal for the FDA. Is the picture getting clearer?

The official government document section is "Docket: 2005P-0411 - Seeking FDA Actions to counter Flagrant Violations of the Law by Pharmacies Compounding Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Drugs that Endanger Public Health" Click here to review the docket

For a different perspective review "Wyeth Asks FDA: Prohibit Bio-Identical Hormones"

If you're a doctor or a woman who's had a positive experience with bio-identical hormones and would like to submit comments to the FDA before the April 4, 2006 deadline, Click Here

Please take this information seriously. Don’t be lured by slick propaganda campaigns that promote health without hassle or responsibility. It is your healthcare decisions that heal, not medicine. I am convinced that the less man has to impose his artificial imprint on health, the better off we will be.

Why not be a health nut…what else is there?

Health Disclaimer: The information provided on this site should not be considered as personal medical advice. Readers should research and consult with appropriate healthcare practitioners on matters related to their personal health and well-being. The information and opinions on this site are believed to be accurate and scientifically sound, based upon the best judgment available to the author. References are noted where appropriate. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.