FTC

* For those of us who think that sending a complaint to a government agency is an exercise in futility, I have good news. Six months ago I wrote to the FTC about price gouging by the maker of a widely used anti-anxiety medication. I chalked it up as another wasted attempt at civic involvement.

Lo and behold (“Definitely a Cause of Anxiety,” editorial, Dec. 24), The Times reports that the FTC and 10 states are taking pharmaceutical giant Mylan Laboratories to court for price fixing to the tune of $120 million. Democracy in action. I’m speechless.

DANIEL SULLIVAN

San Diego