Prescription Safety

* As a practicing physician, I am concerned about the welfare of my patients when I read articles like “FDA Minimized Issue of Lotronex’s Safety” (Nov. 2).

When a new prescription drug is released, I always read the Food and Drug Administration information that accompanies it, looking for “warning boxes,” side effects and adverse interactions before prescribing. I depend on the integrity of both the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA to ensure safety for my patients.

The FDA is mandated to always act in the best interests of the public when it approves a new drug and not to cave in to the corporate thrust for profits when there are doubts expressed. Premature release of medications (fast-tracking) must be limited to lifesaving drugs where there are no alternatives for seriously ill patients.

MELVIN H. KIRSCHNER MD

Van Nuys