Smoking: a fate worse than death? If you don't think the government would rather have you dead than smoking… you'd better think again. Why else would the FDA continue to support the use of the anti-smoking drug Chantix - even though it's been linked to an increasing number of suicides? Strange how FDA has no problem proclaiming news of the trumped-up dangers of tobacco, yet they turn a blind eye to the dangers of the drugs that are supposed to "save" you from this vice. Almost any other fate seems acceptable as long as it steers people away from smoking. Indeed, in the wake of these warnings about Chantix, an FDA spokesman said that the agency didn't want these reports to "scare people off from trying medication that could help them achieve [quitting smoking]," and that people should "just be careful." Just be careful? That's their advice? The best "care" you could take would be to NOT take the drug to begin with - especially when you consider that this isn't the first bad news about Chantix. Not too long ago, I told you that this Pfizer-made drug had been linked to incidences of seizure and loss of motor control. But as usual, the FDA's approach to the problem is not to step in and pull the drug off the market. Instead they're content to leave the solution in the hands of the pharmaceutical companies. In fact, in the last quarter of 2007, Chantix was liked to more reports of adverse effects -- including blackouts that have caused traffic accidents -- than any other prescription drug. In this case, Pfizer has opted to add a black box warning to the Chantix packaging. A lot of good that'll do. Remember, by the time most people get their hands on a bottle of Chantix, they will already have been prescribed this drug by their doctor. Not many people are likely to question the dangers of a drug their doctor has suggested that they take. Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline has also offered to put the black box warning on its anti- smoking drug, Zyban. But I can tell you right now… neither drug manufacturer is worried that it will harm drugs sales, and I'll tell you why. Keep reading… Just in case you're concerned that all these negative reports about Zyban and Chantix could be putting a dent in the profits generated by these two drugs, you can breathe easy. Stock analysts don't think there will be any impact on sales because - are you ready for this? - there have already so many negative warnings about both of these drugs. Yes, as incredible as it sounds, stock analysts are going on record saying that they're not concerned about any more bad news about these drugs - because there's been so much of it already. One Goldman Sachs analyst callously said he was "not panicking" about the FDA report because "sales are already down a lot … it is and will remain a small niche product." Whew! That means only a few people will kill themselves or black out while they're driving. What a relief for the investors! I for one am sickened by the blasé attitudes being shown by all parties here - the FDA, Pfizer, GSK, stock analysts (though I should know better than to expect more from any of these groups). Lost in all this legalism is that there are some poor people out there who have been goaded into quitting smoking at all costs, and a handful of them may end up ending their own lives because of the drugs they've been told will make them "better." | 
