Just has to be said

Since Anna has told me I'm not allowed to post this on our business blog, it ends up here.

I want to take this opportunity to just get something off my chest. Speaking as someone who has worked within the pharmaceutical industry for my entire professional career out of high school, I simply can’t stand the direction this industry is going in and no longer want any part of it. Nothing I am going to say here is in any way original. Nearly all of it, I am sure, can be found multiple times in blogs, newspapers, webpages, etc. I just have to get it off my chest and say something about it though.

I feel that there is something alarmingly wrong with a healthcare industry that is set up to make profits. First off, the thought of profiting from the illnesses of others is just not something that civilized people should be doing to one another. To me the worst offenders in this arrangement, aside from the insurance companies profiting from both the medical professionals AND the patients, are the pharmaceutical companies. The reason for this is simple really. An industry in which the goal is (or should be) to heal people and cure their illnesses stands directly in the way of a maximization of revenues. For the medical establishment, it does not behoove them to create healthy patients that will leave healthy and never need to come back. This is, of course, an oversimplification since people are always coming into contact with new germs, having accidents, or anything else that would result in the need for medical attention. So, in a way the healthcare industry knows that there is ALWAYS be business. Things start to get particularly dicey when you get into the pharmaceutical side of the equation. The best business model possible for a drug company is to create an army of consumers that have to keep coming back on a regular basis and buying more product.

Just to hit the highlights. in order to get a drug approved by the FDA there is the exhausting process of drug discovery, feasibility, toxicity studies, multiple levels of clinical trials, then you are finally to the point where you can submit the application to the FDA. During the approval process you have to continue testing over a period of three years to prove drug stability. Finally, you get approval, after which you celebrate and continue testing a selection of commercial batches of the drug over the aforementioned three year stability study each and every year, until you are no longer producing the drug anymore. All the while collecting further evidence of the effects, and side effects of your drug from patient info that could potentially pull it right off the market unexpectedly. All of this is a MASSIVE investment and it takes a long time to make this money back. Going through all this for a drug that only treats an obscure disease that only affects a small percentage of the population is a terrible investment, and will never get beyond the feasibility stage. The system being what it is, therefore, creates a glut of drugs that will treat a chronic and common illness like asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Often times you will have an all out race amongst several companies to get an application together for very similar drugs. The FDA is first come first served, after all.

Anyway, the problem arises when you start to think about the business of treating the sick. When it is thought about as a humanitarian mission, the interest of the patients comes first. When it is thought about as an avenue for riches, as it is for any major drug company in existence, then the interest of the company becomes the first (and only) concern. If, for instance, a drug discovery unit comes up with a “miracle” drug that will completely eradicate a particular disease, but also another compound that will treat the symptoms and allow the patient to live long and happy, but only if they take the drug everyday for the rest of their life. We would all like to think that the powers that be at that company would make the first drug, but if they are thinking in the best interest of their shareholders, and their own wallets (which is in fact the only job of a CEO) they would pick the second and happily collect their monthly stipend for “curing” all these people. I’m not saying that it happens, or has ever happened, but I am not naive enough to think that it couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Believe me, I hear the company line nearly every day. “Remember, we are helping people.” “Our mission is to improve people’s lives.” I am also in on enough business meetings to know that nearly every decision is made based on timelines and budgets just like the any other industry. The problem is that this shouldn’t be like any other industry.

I am an American. I believe in capitalism and the free market. I am also realistic enough, and have seen enough in my life to know that we can’t continue on this path when it comes to the treatment of disease. A drastic change in philosophy is needed or at the very least an increase in government oversight.

I don’t pretend to have a solution. But the practice of profiting from the sick and dying is despicable and can not be allowed to continue.

Beanie

So at the beginning of the year I wrote a little something about one Chris "beanie" Wells and sited him as the big reason that Buckeye fans are excited about the year. I think Saturday pretty clearly showed why. Mike Hart rushed for all of 44 yards on the day in going 0-4 against Ohio State for his career and Beanie ran for 222 yards on 39 carries for 2 TD's in a 14-3 win. I would have to say that he lived up to the hype. That was just awesome. A cold gray rainy day in the midwest means plenty of running and low scoring football. Illustrating why Big Ten teams will recruit mammoth offensive linemen and D-lineman. The southern schools can get away with moving a linebacker to DE, a Safety to Linebacker, etc, etc and maximize team speed. (which is really where this whole southern speed myth really comes from. The SEC teams set up their defenses for speed and only speed. They don't have to deal with late season games in 40 degrees and rain.. or even snow. For that weather you need mudders, big plodding immovable objects, because speed is useless if you can't get the footing to run around the O-line. I really would love for a team line Miami, or LSU etc to make a trip up to Columbus in November. That would be a very eye opening experience for a lot of the SEC fans out there.

You know what really sucks though.. passing up on the NFL because you had unfinished business and needed to come back to beat your rival. And not only do you lose the first game of the season to a 1AA team, but you lose the first 2, then you end the season by losing the last 2 as well, including a home loss to the rival that you came back to beat. That really really sucks. It would really suck to be that guy, or in this case guys... and in plural.. ahhhh 3 losses in the big house in your senior year has to sting a bit.

I'm Back

I have basically been avoiding posting anything on here for fear of saying something to jinx the Buckeyes unexpected undefeated season. After Saturday, that is no longer a problem. That one sucked.. there have most assuredly been worse losses to take though.. That one wasn't fun, but the truth is they couldn't make a stop and deserved to lose.

Moving on from that, At the beginning of the year I was thinking something like 2-3 losses and a possible capital one bowl or an outside chance at a BCS bowl, so a win Saturday and a trip to the Rose would be great.. Better than great actually... depending on who comes back from the D, 08 could be a monster.. and that is really what I have been expecting all along. Here is hoping that Mr Laurinitus, Jenkins and Gholston all decide that they still have something to prove once it's all said and done.. I will say no more for fear of jinxing the game Saturday... Analysis is that no analysis is possible.. something unexpected will happen.. a play will occur that could go either way.. Mike Hart could get hurt again... or not.. Chad Henne could as well.. Beanie could do the same... it is a true toss up and I can't freaking wait.. Here's hoping my opinion of football is still high sometime around 3:30 Saturday afternoon.

Basketball season is starting finally as well.. and Duke looks different to say the least. playing 10-11 guys.. running and playing extra aggressive defense.. felt like I was watching a for real duke game last night for the first time in about 5 years. The recruiting is improving as well.. I mentioned some names that would tell the story on coach K's next few year several months back.. They were Greg Monroe (committed to G-town, big loss, but not the end of the world) who they missed on, but the good news is that the net has widened for 09.. they aren't targeting just 3 guys and hoping for the best anymore. The 08 class got Elliot Williams (another name I mentioned and he will be a MASSIVE addition as far as a super athletic guard) and another athlete in the Polish kid from Reno (apparently 6'8 240ish with a 40+ vert.) not bad at all.. and like I said 09 is looking better good. The rumors of Duke's downfall were vastly overrated. I'm just happy to finally be able to enjoy watching their games again... less walking the ball up, more high pressure, less 35+minutes a game for the backcourt, fresher legs, more athletes. About damn time.

I hate the Big Ten Network

Those that are not Big Ten football fans are probably oblivious to this whole thing, but there has been a battle raging between the Big Ten and cable companies. There are faults on both sides, but as is typical in these types of things, it is the consumer that suffers. The Big Ten claims it is doing all of these things FOR the fans, and that is just completely false. The fact is that I was able to watch every single Buckeyes game last year on TV from home, with the lone exception being the ESPNU game, which is just a whole other issue. Basically, the situation now is that I will have to go to a bar somewhere to watch up to 4 games this year that will be on the Big Ten Network. Last year I subscribed to gameplan at a significant cost to myself to make that happen. The fact is that I didn't care because I wanted to watch those games. People who want to watch them will pay for them.. what is happening though is that the Big Ten wants EVERYONE to pay for it, whether they want it or not. The reason is because it would pay out a LOT of money... The O-Zone has a great article about the whole situation and I can't really do it to justice.. but if you are interested, check it out. Either way, I have a definite feeling that I am getting screwed out of being able to watch several games that I otherwise would have been able to see this year. I am not cool with this. It isn't enough for me to get Direct TV, the thing is that I honestly agree more with the cable operators argument over this one. People shouldn't have to pay for a channel they don't want.. and this really would include having to pay for the OTHER things that exist in the sports tier that the cable companies want me to pay for. I would only get it for football games and immediately cancel it the rest of the year. I don't want to watch women's or Olympic sports, or any of the other shit the big ten network is trying to force on me. I just want to watch the freaking buckeyes game.. that's is..

Fall Practice is FINALLY here

After one of the longest and slowest summers of my entire life.. The darkest days in American professional sports history (The Mike Vick stuff, Bonds, an NBA ref on the take and the biggest positive story of the summer is an Englishman coming to play soccer in LA) are hopefully ending and it is finally football season again. Time to start anew, and well... people in buckeyeland are once again pumped. Losing pretty much every skill position from the offense is pretty rough, but people are still optimistic. The reason for that is most definitely the fact that they have Chris Wells... Looking at the picture you can see why... He is reportedly up to 240... which makes him a fast 6'1 240 pound ball of devastation... He is being touted as a possible Heisman candidate... I think he is still a year away from that, but the fact is that this is easily the most anticipated season for a running back since Eddie's senior year. (Ignoring the non season that was Clarett's sophomore year of course) People are all set for him to EXPLODE this year.. provided he can hang onto the ball and not get hurt, I don't see why he won't either.. sweet...

Taking Care of Business....

IN A FLASH!!! more on that later... but last night I happened to be running the scoreboard at a 40 and over league. Usually pretty boring stuff, but last night was much much different. for one thing, one of the teams broke 100.. final score 102-52... just silly.. must have made about 20-25 threes. But the real story was one of the refs. Dude comes in giddy.. and I mean nearly coming out of his skin... He could barely get his name down on the sign in sheet. We're like what the hell is with you man? and he says, "Man, Kenny Chesney's comin', I'm ready to rock! I'm so excited... This generations Elvis!!! WOOOO!!" I lost it. And I do mean I lost it. This guy was serious though, but once that wore off and things calmed down, he says, "Man, I'm just kiddin'. Ain't nobody ever gonna replace Elvis." and he rolls up his sleeve to reveal the TCB symbol.. for those that don't know what this is, I have an example picture above... This is the slogan and logo that Elvis invented way back when meaning taking care of business in a flash... yeah, lame I know, but Elvis fans LOVE it. anyway... showing me that tattoo.. I lost it AGAIN!! I can't believe someone would EVER get that permanently stuck to their body. Are you freaking kidding me??

It's Over

Well, we had to do it. We put Luna down Monday. I will spare any further details, but it is just terrible. I hated having to do it, but it was just a nowin situation. It is hard at home right now without her there. I know things will get better, we will eventually also get another dog, but it might be a while before that happens. It just wouldn't be good yet. We will probably wait until we have moved to a new house, but we will see what happens. I am just really glad it is al over with and we don't have to think about it anymore. We just have to deal with the repercussions at this point, and that can only really get better from this point on.