The New York Times recently ran a story indicating that a prominent physician scientist particularly associated with advocacy for vitamin D supplementation may have important conflicts of interest. The case is made that this doctor, an endocrinologist at Boston University, has personally contributed enormously to sales of vitamin D, testing for vitamin D, and even the use of tanning salons through his influence on peers and the public. He has in turn been at the receiving end of very considerable compensation from companies that make and sell supplements, perform tests, or offer tanning beds.
Fear can show up at inappropriate times uninvited and unexpected, like a knock on the door in the middle of the night. We have all felt it. Sometimes, it can stop us from an adventure or getting into trouble. Sometimes, it can prevent us from living up to our potential or considering a new path. Sometimes, it can stop us from taking care of our health.
I had the pleasure of attending two pharmacy conferences over the last two weeks and wow! I couldn’t be more excited about the future. I saw it all, from gene therapy to digital marketing to pick up kiosks. Yes, many are very worried about what’s to come. There’s so many changes in healthcare now-a-days so I can completely understand the fear of the uncertain. But there really is so much to be excited about. I want to share some take-a-ways of some recent experiences.
In a word: yes. In two words: of course. But crossing a street is dangerous to your health. Driving a car or riding a bike is dangerous to your health. So that’s not really very helpful information.
It is back to school season, so let’s start this with a pop quiz:
You might think that screening for breast cancer by mammography is a slam-dunk. It was not the last time I wrote about it; and it is not now.
Walking through the dark construction zone of my now demolished kitchen, I made my way to the garage and out into the still, hot, humid July night. The air felt so thick, it was hard to breathe. At 1 a.m. I was headed to the hospital for a patient that just arrived in active labor. On the drive in, I had the air conditioner blasting to cool off the car and to wake the slumber from my head. By the time I reached the bright lights of the hospital 20 minutes later, I was fully awake. It was time to work.