Re: [gardeners] Watching it rain, again

Margaret Lauterbach (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Wed, 26 Feb 2003 10:15:46 -0700

I've had acid reflux for years.  When I first tried Prilosec, it worked 
wonders, but the label said you could only use it for a short time.  Then I 
struggled with OT meds and Tums, moving up to Tums Ultra (that's okay, I 
get calcium from them too).  Finally my doctor said they had decided you 
could use Prilosec for a longer period of time than originally thought. So 
I took that for a few years.  Okay, they finally came out with a generic 
version that seems to be working okay for me (our insurance pays for meds 
but I assume it's cheaper).  But first...But first, the manufacturer of 
Prilosec, whose patent was about to run out made slight changes to the 
formula according to the sources I've read, then called and patented it as 
Nexium, and proceeded to sell it via television.  What happens when that 
patent runs out? Lastium?  It infuriated me (I know, some of you will say 
that's good business or the American way -- I say it's a violation of 
patient rights) that the manufacturer had people call me to "talk to me 
about my prescription."  I told them I didn't buy from telemarketers and 
they kept saying they weren't selling anything, they just wanted to talk 
(about things they had no right to know).  I'm extremely happy that the 
generic (Omeprazole) is working so well.  @#$%^ multinational drug 
companies.  Margaret L

>Hello, again, George,
>
>I know what you mean: our kitchen cabinet is beginning to look like my 
>grandmother's, with those little amber plastic bottles. But truth be told, 
>I would be one sick puppy without my Nexium.
>
>One change I have made that has proved very beneficial is to drink tea 
>instead of coffee. The slight amount of caffein in it does not seem to 
>bother me. Give it a try.
>
>Ron