--
Richard Chudacoff, MD, FACOG
-----Original Message-----
From: ob-gyn-l@obgyn.net [mailto:ob-gyn-l@obgyn.net]On Behalf Of Geffrey
Klein, MD
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 8:43 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list OB-GYN-L
Subject: Re: cytotec attorney website
At 3:33 PM -0600 on 1/6/02, D. Ashley Hill, MD wrote:
>Fellow listmembers:
>
>A relative of mine was prescribed misoprostol prior to a cervical
>dilation and paid 7 dollars US for two tablets. As I was looking on the
>web to find the production cost for cytotec (about 25-50 cents/tablet) I
>came across this website:
>
>http://www.cytotecattorney.com/
>
>If for nothing other than a good laugh, you should read the
>"information" on the site. Who knew that cytotec increased the risk of
>fluid overload or amniotic fluid embolism? It's great that the lawyers
>at this firm are so well versed in the current medical literature. It's
>a war, but our problem is we play by the rules.
I would like to encourage everyone on the list to go to this website
and let them know how you feel.. They have a link to contact them.
It is really to submit a case for evaluation. I submitted my
comments:
this is an exerpt from your website:
Cytotec is no more effective, and much less safe than Prepidil or
Cervidil ( prostaglandin E2), another agent used in the hope of
reducing the cesarean rate in labors induced with an unripe cervix.
Cytotec's only attribute is its price. Cytotec is very inexpensive,
whereas Prepidil and Cervidil cost close to $100 per dose. Cytotec
also reduces the need for intravenous oxytocin (Pitocin), the hormone
that stimulates contractions, which further contributes to the savings
-----
The inference here is that we greedy doctors are putting people at
risk for financial gain. It is interesting to note that in addition
to being wrong about misoprostol being equally effective as the other
listed agents (because it is clearly more effective), you are also
wrong in assuming that we get any financial gain from using
misoprostol. We don't pay for it or get paid any more if we do use
it. My main motivation is to use an effective medication that has
been repeatedly shown to be the best agent to help my patient deliver
safely.
The fact that Searle has not sought FDA approval for the use of the
drug in this fashion is not because it is a harmful or ineffective
drug, but rather their concern that any adverse outcome from its use
will result in civil litigation. I personally think that they are
spineless, but who could blame them. They are used to dealing with
the unethical industry of the product liability attorney.. So thanks
again for putting your avarice ahead of scientific advancement...
Sleep well..
--
_______________________
Geffrey H. Klein, MD
_______________________
geffrey.klein@obgyn.net
450 Blossom Suite C
Webster, Texas 77598
832 553 5430
http://www.geffreyklein.com
