We’re only two decades into the 2000s, but we already have a leading candidate for the scam of the century. And yes, it IS a drug. (Could it possibly be anything else?)
The entire drug industry is rubbing its greasy little mitts together in anticipation of the FDA’s next move on the experimental Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab.
This med is so far known for TWO things:
- It DOESN’T prevent Alzheimer’s disease in those at risk
- It DOESN’T cure the disease in those who have it
The best they can say about it… and this is being generous… is that it might slow the cognitive decline a little bit.
Yet the industry thinks this medication might get approved anyway. In fact, they’re getting ready to move fast if it is, and are already surveying doctors about it.
And they LOVE what they’re hearing so far.
A multi-billion-dollar boondoggle for Alzheimer’s patients
Picture this. You’re a doctor. You know a particular treatment has big-time problems. You know because of adverse events, it may be more likely to hurt your patient than help. And you KNOW that it flunked at least one major study.
Would you give that to a patient?
Of course, you wouldn’t. But the industry’s survey of Alzheimer’s docs found that many doctors would do just that.
But wait, it gets worse. The majority agree that this drug should NOT be approved. But the docs admit that if and when it is, they’ll start serving it up like hot dogs at a summer cookout anyway.
They said about 20 percent of their patients would get the drug right out of the gate. And 40 percent would be on the med eventually.
Close to 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s right now. Twenty percent of that is 1.2 million… and 40 percent is 2.4 million. That’s already a HUGE market.
But guess what? That’s just a drop in the bucket. Because the boardroom suits behind the drug insist that it’s best given in the earliest stages of the disease. Or… wait for it… even BEFORE Alzheimer’s strikes.
It reminds me of when the drug industry tried to float, putting ALL of us on cholesterol meds “just in case,” whether we had an issue or not.
Side effects for 9 out of 10 on dementia drug
The New York Times estimated last year that if approved, some 10 million Americans could end up taking aducanumab. That would shake out to $10 billion or more in sales a year, instantly making it one of the best-selling meds in the world.
AND. IT. DOESN’T. WORK.
Well, at least not in the way anyone hoped. Remember, it doesn’t prevent Alzheimer’s. And it doesn’t cure the disease.
Sure, in one study, a high dose slowed progression by about 22 percent. But that’s not exactly a home run. Meanwhile, NINE OUT OF TEN patients experienced at least one adverse event. Which is likely why so many docs say they think it shouldn’t be approved.
Like I said, the scam of the century here. But you don’t have to let Big Pharma con you or your loved ones if anyone in your life is ever diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
There are three BETTER actions you can take.
- Rule out everything else: Dementia can often be a misdiagnosis – including chronic Lyme disease in disguise, or a drug side effect. Many common drugs are inappropriate for seniors and could cause dementia-like side effects such as the depression drugs, amitriptyline, paroxetine, bupropion, and overactive bladder eds oxybutynin and tolterodine, and the antihistamine diphenhydramine (found in Benadryl).
- Eliminate toxins: Go as natural and basic as you can with your diet. Skip grains, sugars, and other processed/refined foods in particular. Switch to organic foods to avoid pesticide residues. Quit smoking and avoid areas with high levels of air pollution.
- Support the brain: Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins are essential to brain health and cognition. In one study, a blend of B vitamins was able to slow the “brain shrink” that often accompanies cognitive decline and dementia.
Drug companies have been trying and failing to develop an EFFECTIVE cash cow Alzheimer’s drug for decades. Many experts agree THIS isn’t it.
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