Posted by
Frigglesnitz on Monday, February 11, 2008 10:12:58 PM
I have taken it upon myself to spread fear among the citizens and others living in this great country. In that capacity, I must announce that the FDA has a brand-new product recall. The product may be one used frequently. The link follows:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/chattem02_08.html
I am of course glad that we have the FDA, as well as the Consumer Products Safety Commission, and that they are fearlessly publishing all -- as far as I know -- of the recalls and warnings of which they are aware.
One thing that troubles me about this is the knowledge that the FDA and the CPSC both apparently have volumes of recalls and warnings, and that the taxpayers are footing the bills for this oversight.
My understanding is that the new budget for 2009 will contain enormous increases for the FDA in its efforts to keep track of these huge numbers of recalls. The increases will be needed because of the necessity to hire additional employees, doubtlessly to purchase large numbers of pieces of equipment such as computers, etc., and, last but not least, to arrange for space for the new employees and their equipment.
What happened to accountability on the part of manufacturers?
Why is it necessary for the U.S. taxpayer to foot the bill for the myriad instances of lax practices of drug and product manufacturers?
Why don't we descend on Washington, D.C. (in the form of letters, faxes, e-mail messages, telephone calls, etc.) and ask them these questions?
Is there anyone out there who believes our lawmakers will have an answer? That is, beyond latitudes of platitudes? I'll bet not one can come up with a good answer.
If anyone gets such an answer, I want to know about it. It would be big, I mean big, news. Fox would probably be all over it like white on rice.