Cholesterol drug warning issued

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Three years after having recalled the cholesterol lowering statin drug Baycol, Health Canada has issued a warning concerning another statin drug, Crestor, and for the same reasons. When taken by patients with other health problems, Crestor can cause rhabdomyolosis - a wasting or breakdown of muscle tissue leading to potential kidney and heart failure (Vancouver Sun, June 19th, 2004).

It is extremely disconcerting that Health Canada - who is supposed to monitor drug safety, fails to mention that all statin drugs have the potential to cause rhabdomyolosis. It is equally troubling, that Health Canada fails to warn physicians that their patients are placed in multiple jeopardy when prescribed, along with a statin, any drug or combination of drugs such as thiazide diuretics, Beta blockers, anti diabetic drugs taken from a list of 70 other drugs that contribute to the depletion of Co Enzyme Q10 - an essential factor for cell energy function. The deficiency of this nutrient causes rhabdomyolosis. The very best diet cannot make up for such depletion. For several years Merck has a patent for their statin drug Zocor combined with Co Enzyme Q10. One must speculate why Merck has never brought the drug to market.

Is it any wonder that our sickness - pardon me - "health" care system is failing for lack of money? So much of the cost can be placed at the door of adverse drug reactions, slack monitoring of drug safety by the federal government and the fact a majority of physicians are totally ignorant that most drugs have serious side effects because many of them induce depletion of essential nutrients namely vitamins and minerals.

Croft Woodruff
6262-A Fraser Street
Vancouver, BC V5W 3A1
604 327 3889