One more health care reform suggestion if its not too late

From what I’m told there is a big push on to get some sort of a health care bill through Congress maybe as early as this week. If its not too late , I’d like to see some language put into the bill that all generic drugs must have a user friendly nickname. Considering that the bill hardly resembles the health care reform we were promised, one more provision to drive the drug companies up a wall won’t hurt.

What am I talking about? If you are unfortunate enough or fortunate enough, depending on your problem, to be taking prescription drugs it would be nice to be able to clearly tell a medical provider what you are taking. For instance, suppose you are constantly going to the John because of an enlarged prostate. Solution, take one Flomax a day. Now along comes the insurance company which advises you that if you want your insurance prescription benefit to kick in it will be necessary for you to take one tamsulosin hydrochloride per day. It’s a generic form of Flomax. The problem I have with this switch is that its quite a mouthful. The pills aren’t larger. The name is too long and one that only a trained pharmacist is comfortable with. Why can’t generic Flomax be called something like Maxflo or Controlflo.

There are other examples. Pity the individual who suffers from a gastro-esophageal reflux disease. One Nexium a day provided the relief needed. Now it is strongly suggested that the Nexium should be replaced with one lansoprazole per day. I can hardly type the name , no less pronounce it. Why not call the drug Belchstop.

For those of you who are depressed ( I’m sure this post has worsened your condition), you may have been enjoying the benefits of Paxil. No longer, you need to take paroxetine, a name which would depress anyone at the thought that it was a necessary medication. Wouldn’t Parox do the job?

Fosamax is a foe of osteoporosis. Reportedly it has fought the good battle but if you want to get it paid for by your drug benefits be sure your doctor prescribes alendronate. Again, why not something like Genfosamax or Maxfos? Either one is easier to pronounce and signifies that it can lead the fight against osteoporosis.

I do not want to stir up added debate in Congress over this issue. If its going to give Pelosi and Reid fits, I will not be upset to see my suggestion thrown into the trash. I probably should deal with the FDA anyway.