Global Issue Review
“Pharmaceutical Corporations and Medical Research”
Lately, all I see during commercials on TV. is “If you tried this drug and got these symptoms or another health problem due to this drug, please call blah blah blah law firm. You might be entitled to a cash settlement.” What’s scary is, I just saw a lawsuit against Accutane or the generic version Isotetrinoin, and I’ve used that in the past. I’ve heard so much negative feedback about Accutane but the doctor eased me into taking it. The process of getting this medicine was a lot of work. First you have to log into a website and PLEDGE that if we are a female; we will use TWO types of birth control. Whether it is abstinence, condom, birth control pills, etc… From then you have to take a urine test to make sure you’re not pregnant because this medicine will tremendously disfigure a fetus. Finally, before you get the medicine, you have to get a blood test to make sure your cholesterol is normal. Every time you get a new prescription, which is usually for six months and then you have to take a break, you have to go through the same routine.
For me, I thought it was worth is because I literally tried everything to clear up my skin. Certain blood samples would show that my cholesterol was high, but this was due to the drug so if it continued, the doctor would take me off of it. Well, I finished my six month trial, and ta-da…..CLEAR SKIN! My face was dry and my lips were always chapped, but all in all it was worth it.
When I saw the commercial about the “Accutane lawsuit,” everything they were accusing the drug about were common side effects. Don’t get me wrong, I was scared and traced back my steps to see if I had any of those symptoms but I think I’m ok.
Being raised in an Asian family, “Americans” are known to be “SUE” happy. Every time there’s an opportunity to make a quick buck, Americans would jump on it. How does McDonald lose a lawsuit against a woman that spilled hot coffee on her claiming there was no warning on the cup! Maybe that’s why with the newer prescription drugs that are coming out, they clearly state “side effects included this, this, that, and in severe cases this, which you should contact your physician.” Even though we know the side effects, we try it to ease or cure whatever it is we are diagnosed with. But how do we really know if the drug corporations are telling us the whole truth about the medicine we are taking. When we are prescribed something, we never really question what the medicine really is; we just want it to work.
This article is about the global issue pharmaceutical companies are constantly getting into scrutiny about. With the universal healthcare being one of the most important topics being discussed by the new president, medication is one of the hot subtopics.
Prescription drugs are ridiculously expensive nowadays especially if you are not covered by health insurance. It’s hard for us middle class to afford with insurance, so how does the poor who often need more medical help afford the same medical treatment? This article writes about the issues of pharmaceutical drugs and if the expensive prices that comes with it goes to the actual research of the product. It is said that many drug companies spend a lot of their money into marketing their product. This makes a lot sense because we are looking at the business aspect of it. But, if the money goes to marketing, they are cutting short on the other areas that are important. Many companies have been accused of unethical behavior such as not enough research, favorable results, and even using human guinea pigs without letting the experimented know. Although there are many “public announcements” about donating to third world countries, many drugs have been found expired or close to the expiration date. Even though these poor countries have brought up the issue to make prescription drugs affordable by using generic or use tools that are available to help with the pricing, companies are working harder to patent their product so they can’t make generic medicines. We just learned in our nursing class that drugs can be patented for a certain amount of time and then other brands are allowed to make the generic version of the product. That’s why many generic versions are just as good as the name brands because they are using the same ingredients, just under a different name.
Joseph Stiglitz made a great comment which basically said that drug companies yield their marketing to those who can afford it. They make “lifestyle drugs” more than “life saving drugs.” I can’t believe how hard this quote hit me. It is true with all the different “mood” drugs out there why aren’t their more on saving lives that are affected with diseases? Besides the fact that the poor won’t be able to afford them, but isn’t it ethical to help those that need it the most? I’m not saying the psychological problems aren’t diseases? It just seems like they are researching more on those types of problems than those who could help save an epidemic.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/52/pharmaceutical-corporations-and-medical-research#Distortingdrugtrialstohighlightpositiveoutcomes
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
tatoo review first
“TATTOO” FIRST REVIEW
When I first approached the book, I literally thought the book was about art because of the title, “Tattoo.” So when began to read the first chapter, I was a bit confused to what was going on. Interestingly enough the book is about the so called “paradise” state Hawaii, and the dark side of troubles that no one really voices. Finally, a book about the place that I reside in and the local who was braved enough to share his experiences.
Even though Kenji Hideyoshi was born in 1969, there was still racism present (Parillo 16 ). It’s not surprising that Ken would get taunted about his Japanese name. After World War 2, there were still concepts that Japanese were minorities (Parillo 13.) “Jap” was a common racial slur towards Japanese people during the War (34). But just as Ken was a victim of racism, he also was racist towards Haloes. “Spoiled-rotten, easy living, sick suburbia, white-picket fence mother fuckers…,” that was his perception of the white race (Mckinney 17.) Ken’s father was a distant local man that implanted fear in him ever since he was child. Learning how to fight, swim, or even touch a shark was all in a “fight or flight” system. On the other hand Ken’s mother was very warm and loving towards him. That was until she passed when he was six years old and eventually only remembered her vividly.
In the Japanese culture, material culture is usually passed on to the next generation of the first born son (Parillo 31). When Ken’s mother passed, his grandfather showed him a “katana” that would eventually be in his possession (McKinney 27). From here would be the true “Japanese history” that Ken would learn about his family and their journey to Hawaii (McKinney 29). “Dey die befo dey accept defeat! (McKinney 29). This was the ultimate “non material” belief of the olden days Japanese (Parillo 31). “Culture transmission” was huge in Japanese culture especially if we were first generation Americans (Parrillo 37). That’s because if we were to learn about what had happened between the West and Asia, it’ll be through the eyes of the West. By repeating the events the way the immigrants saw it, kept their culture alive.
Ken ended up living with his father again, a drunken abusive parent that kept talking about the negative aspects of his life. It was a “vicious-circle phenomenon” that kept repeating itself through his son, Ken. The story goes on to talk about Cal, his prison mate and how he grew up on hate and Koa his high school football teammate.
It was funny to read about the stories about “obake” and the Pali highway. That is the oldest myth I have heard. The pork on the Pali will bring bad sprits towards you. I don’t know any local who doesn’t know that story. Even the stories about the Japanese, China, and America were all similar to the stories I heard.
It’s amazing how easily I could read the “moke” quotes that were being stated. As much as my parents try to learn proper “mainland” English, pidgeon is just that much easier. Everyone in Hawaii understands so to them it’s not a big deal. However, my parents prefer I don’t speak pidgeon because they understand in the real world, no one would understand me. It’s not proper career ediquette. My parents are first generation and even though I was born and raised in Hawaii, I couldn’t speak English until I was placed in ESL in first grade. Amazingly, somehow I had friends in preschool and kindergarten. Thank god kids were not as cruel in my days than Ken’s. I have a hard time relating to these characters a hundred percent, but I could understand the issues Ken faced. The way his grandpa would talk to him about history. The way the father was a “manly figure” and fear was not to shown for men. Culture is very strong in my family and I could sometimes still see the racism that Okinawan people have against the Japanese. Just like the Hawaiian Monarchy, our monarchy was also tricked and taken. The stories people usually here are the American or Japanese point of view. The real stories that I hear from family members that were actually present during the war states a completely different story. That’s probably why many people claim they are Okinawan and not Japanese. Many don’t understand that concept and I understand that I’m Okinawan but I don’t distinguish it like some.
This story is really interesting and I can’t wait to continue reading the life of Ken and the many encounters he has with people that shape his life. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this book but apparently my younger brother read it in his English class for high school. Funny how I went to the same high school ten years ago and this wasn’t assigned to me.
When I first approached the book, I literally thought the book was about art because of the title, “Tattoo.” So when began to read the first chapter, I was a bit confused to what was going on. Interestingly enough the book is about the so called “paradise” state Hawaii, and the dark side of troubles that no one really voices. Finally, a book about the place that I reside in and the local who was braved enough to share his experiences.
Even though Kenji Hideyoshi was born in 1969, there was still racism present (Parillo 16 ). It’s not surprising that Ken would get taunted about his Japanese name. After World War 2, there were still concepts that Japanese were minorities (Parillo 13.) “Jap” was a common racial slur towards Japanese people during the War (34). But just as Ken was a victim of racism, he also was racist towards Haloes. “Spoiled-rotten, easy living, sick suburbia, white-picket fence mother fuckers…,” that was his perception of the white race (Mckinney 17.) Ken’s father was a distant local man that implanted fear in him ever since he was child. Learning how to fight, swim, or even touch a shark was all in a “fight or flight” system. On the other hand Ken’s mother was very warm and loving towards him. That was until she passed when he was six years old and eventually only remembered her vividly.
In the Japanese culture, material culture is usually passed on to the next generation of the first born son (Parillo 31). When Ken’s mother passed, his grandfather showed him a “katana” that would eventually be in his possession (McKinney 27). From here would be the true “Japanese history” that Ken would learn about his family and their journey to Hawaii (McKinney 29). “Dey die befo dey accept defeat! (McKinney 29). This was the ultimate “non material” belief of the olden days Japanese (Parillo 31). “Culture transmission” was huge in Japanese culture especially if we were first generation Americans (Parrillo 37). That’s because if we were to learn about what had happened between the West and Asia, it’ll be through the eyes of the West. By repeating the events the way the immigrants saw it, kept their culture alive.
Ken ended up living with his father again, a drunken abusive parent that kept talking about the negative aspects of his life. It was a “vicious-circle phenomenon” that kept repeating itself through his son, Ken. The story goes on to talk about Cal, his prison mate and how he grew up on hate and Koa his high school football teammate.
It was funny to read about the stories about “obake” and the Pali highway. That is the oldest myth I have heard. The pork on the Pali will bring bad sprits towards you. I don’t know any local who doesn’t know that story. Even the stories about the Japanese, China, and America were all similar to the stories I heard.
It’s amazing how easily I could read the “moke” quotes that were being stated. As much as my parents try to learn proper “mainland” English, pidgeon is just that much easier. Everyone in Hawaii understands so to them it’s not a big deal. However, my parents prefer I don’t speak pidgeon because they understand in the real world, no one would understand me. It’s not proper career ediquette. My parents are first generation and even though I was born and raised in Hawaii, I couldn’t speak English until I was placed in ESL in first grade. Amazingly, somehow I had friends in preschool and kindergarten. Thank god kids were not as cruel in my days than Ken’s. I have a hard time relating to these characters a hundred percent, but I could understand the issues Ken faced. The way his grandpa would talk to him about history. The way the father was a “manly figure” and fear was not to shown for men. Culture is very strong in my family and I could sometimes still see the racism that Okinawan people have against the Japanese. Just like the Hawaiian Monarchy, our monarchy was also tricked and taken. The stories people usually here are the American or Japanese point of view. The real stories that I hear from family members that were actually present during the war states a completely different story. That’s probably why many people claim they are Okinawan and not Japanese. Many don’t understand that concept and I understand that I’m Okinawan but I don’t distinguish it like some.
This story is really interesting and I can’t wait to continue reading the life of Ken and the many encounters he has with people that shape his life. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this book but apparently my younger brother read it in his English class for high school. Funny how I went to the same high school ten years ago and this wasn’t assigned to me.
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