On October 16, 2005, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals filed a "Citizens Complaint" with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that compounding pharmacies be prohibited from providing bio-identical hormone therapies to their patients. As a practicing physician and trained pharmacist, I am deeply concerned that my patients' access to safe and efficacious bio-identical hormone replacement therapies (BHRT) could be at risk. Even more, I am horrified that Wyeth would so brazenly attempt to use its corporate wealth and power to twist the facts, manipulate the research and, ultimately, push their mercenary agenda through a federal governing body.

In light of Wyeth's petition, I am forced to ask several seminal questions: First, does the pharmaceutical industry regard women's health as a sacred arena of medicine or does it simply see women - particularly baby boomer women - as a burgeoning target market to be exploited via product sales? Is it any coincidence that Wyeth's own Premarin and Prempro are the brand leader in the synthetic estrogen product market? Can physicians and patients trust the FDA to be fair and unbiased in addressing this issue if the agency's drug evaluation center receives over $300,000 per year (approximately half of its operation budget) from pharmaceutical companies, including Wyeth? Finally, is the power of pharmaceutical profit so great that even the FDA can be manipulated to turn a blind eye to the fact that the rate of female cancers continues to rise in lockstep with the sales of synthetic estrogen products?

I can't speak for the conscience of the FDA but I can speak for physicians like myself who have for years relied on BHRT to successfully and safely treat patients suffering from hormonal imbalances. I can also presume to speak for the tens of thousands of patients who have found that BHRT gave them not only relief from symptoms but a feeling of having "their life back". In speaking, I hold out these truths:

• BHRT is a safe and effective option for treating hormonal imbalances. Side effects are minimal, if any. Unlike synthetic hormone therapies, there has been no evidence linking BHRT to any carcinogenic effect or increased risk for heart attack, stroke, blood clotting or Alzheimer's disease.
• Clinical studies have linked prescriptions of Wyeth's Premarin and Prempro with an increased risk of breast and uterine cancers, heart attack, stroke, blood clotting and Alzheimer's disease.
• The FDA often regulatory decisions based on industry-sponsored studies and research. In presenting their research, pharmaceutical companies often only publish selective results, even presenting the same selective findings in several different journals. The FDA had no control over this selective publishing. This practice is not unbiased research and evaluation of pharmaceutical products; it is plain and simple spin marketing.
• There is a need for more research on BHRT. While there are many credible and clinically significant published studies evidencing the efficacy and safety of BHRT, there is not enough data to once and for all squash the promotion of synthetic hormone therapies. Why not? Think about it. Who funds most clinical research? You got it: the pharmaceutical companies like Wyeth.

The battle for the truth begins with you and me. I believe we - and TRUTH - can prevail.

For More Information: IACP for their Wyeth's Citizen Petition

I Wish You Well!
C. W. Randolph, Jr., M.D.

Whether you are a woman or a man suffering from the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, finding a solution is the key to restoring your quality of life, health and happiness. You may be aware of the underlying symptoms but not sure if a true imbalance exist or where to start in reclaiming control over your body and your overall well-being.

Due to popular request, Dr. Randolph is now making available the opportunity for you to take the initial steps in your voyage to go from Hormone Hell to Hormone Well by way of Saliva Testing and a One-On- One Individualized Phone Consultation with Dr. Randolph's highly trained Nurse Practitioner.

Read a review of Barbara Seaman's
THE GREATEST EXPERIMENT EVER PERFORMED ON WOMEN; EXPLODING THE ESTROGEN MYTH
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