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Dec. 22nd, 2009 05:19 pmThere was a story on NPR that made me sort of mad yesterday. Mad at NPR, that is, for how they spun it.
They talked about the rise in bone density testing over the last few years, and made it out to be a plot by Merck to sell more Fosamax. Some truth to that, I'm sure; Merck lobbied for Medicare, or something, to pay for bone density testing, and I'm sure that's had only a positive effect on sales of Fosamax, as they expected. Of course, then, there is some over-prescribing, especially since long-term use by younger patients has not been proven to be a positive thing. There is some evidence-- and I'm sure it will be proved in the end-- that messing with the osteoclasts' natural bone-remodeling process is not something you want to do long-term, or at an early age.
So, NPR concludes, isn't this perfectly ridiculous, screening younger women's bone density. They basically conclude that osteopenia is a made-up diagnosis, designed just so Merck can sell more drugs.
I don't agree. It's like saying nobody need weigh themselves, because obesity is a made-up diagnosis designed to sell more Meridia. Uh, no; everyone knows you should resort to a pill last, after cutting out junk from your diet and getting more exercise. Likewise, younger women with lower bone density can be lifting weights, playing tennis, jogging, taking calcium supplements, taking multivitamins, avoiding cola, moderating alcohol and caffeine intake, quitting smoking, and avoiding low-carb diets. Maybe if more younger women knew what shape their bones are in, they would be motivated to do those things.
I am so thankful that I have been able to get bone density measurements. I believe that making the lifestyle changes will be better than taking bisphosphonates, and I have the opportunity to see how that approach goes. Plot by Merck, indeed!
They talked about the rise in bone density testing over the last few years, and made it out to be a plot by Merck to sell more Fosamax. Some truth to that, I'm sure; Merck lobbied for Medicare, or something, to pay for bone density testing, and I'm sure that's had only a positive effect on sales of Fosamax, as they expected. Of course, then, there is some over-prescribing, especially since long-term use by younger patients has not been proven to be a positive thing. There is some evidence-- and I'm sure it will be proved in the end-- that messing with the osteoclasts' natural bone-remodeling process is not something you want to do long-term, or at an early age.
So, NPR concludes, isn't this perfectly ridiculous, screening younger women's bone density. They basically conclude that osteopenia is a made-up diagnosis, designed just so Merck can sell more drugs.
I don't agree. It's like saying nobody need weigh themselves, because obesity is a made-up diagnosis designed to sell more Meridia. Uh, no; everyone knows you should resort to a pill last, after cutting out junk from your diet and getting more exercise. Likewise, younger women with lower bone density can be lifting weights, playing tennis, jogging, taking calcium supplements, taking multivitamins, avoiding cola, moderating alcohol and caffeine intake, quitting smoking, and avoiding low-carb diets. Maybe if more younger women knew what shape their bones are in, they would be motivated to do those things.
I am so thankful that I have been able to get bone density measurements. I believe that making the lifestyle changes will be better than taking bisphosphonates, and I have the opportunity to see how that approach goes. Plot by Merck, indeed!
