Health

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1975, the Eagles recorded the hit "Lyin’ Eyes" about dishonesty within a relationship. The song was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded with Frey singing the solo lead. The band had its start when Don and Glenn were recruited for Linda Ronstadt’s band by her and manager John Boylan. The 2019 documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice provided an excellent perspective on the relationship establishing the Eagles. The Eagles became one the best selling bands of all time and were inducted into the Roll and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.  

Why a lead in with Lyin’ Eyes? 

The concern is the deception or misleading advertising that seems to be common with different media outlets. The pharmaceutical industry spent $5 billion on television ads in 2021 according to Fierce Pharma. These ads are referred to as direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads. The only two countries allowing DTC ads are the United States and New Zealand. Other countries have banned DTC ads similar to the 1970 ban of direct-to-consumer cigarette ads on radio and television.  

Prescription medications are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has a program aimed at healthcare professionals called the Bad Ad Program.  The FDA Office of Prescription Drug Promotions (OPDP) is responsible for the Bad Ad Program under the auspices of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Anyone can report to the Bad Ad Program, but it is aimed at healthcare providers. Reports can be sent via email at [email protected] or phone at 855-RX-BADAD.  

March is colorectal cancer awareness month

By Jay Babich, MD, FACG, Gastroenterology Associates of Northwest Ohio

A gastroenterologist is an internist who has gone on to complete an additional three-year fellowship in digestive disease disorders.

Common ailments that gastroenterologists treat are reflux, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, change in bowel habits, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, we work with providers with interest and expertise in liver disease as well as disorders of the gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas. 

Procedures that we commonly perform are endoscopy as well as colonoscopy, along with specialized endoscopic procedures of the biliary tree and pancreas.