Medicine
Distribution system OK, but it can be exploited
A recent op-ed (“Gouging threatens supply of medicines,” ajc.com, Aug. 18) brings much-needed attention to the problem of drug distribution security, but mischaracterizes one crucial aspect of a Pew Health Group report on U.S. drug safety. Our paper describes the intricacies of the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain and how gaps in control and oversight create opportunities for illegal activity. The current distribution system itself — while complex — is not a “gray market,” as described in the op-ed.
Drug distribution may involve many trading partners, which can make it difficult to determine the products’ sources or authenticity. Medicines are often bought and sold across state lines; moved in whole or partial lots; and repackaged or relabeled. These practices may be appropriate, but bad actors also may exploit vulnerabilities in this system.
Policymakers can protect patients by strengthening wholesaler oversight, and implementing a national system to monitor medicines more closely as they move through the supply chain. We look forward to working with Congress to enact policies ensuring that the drugs in Americans’ medicine cabinets are safe.
Allan Coukell, director, Medical Programs, Pew Health Group
license pLATES
A more trustworthy motto: ‘From many, one’
Regarding “In God We Trust” (and Georgia’s new license plates), as a U.S. citizen with a different life philosophy, I object to the word “we.” Who is this presumptuous “we”? That pronoun certainly does not include me.
In a country with an infamous history of minority disenfranchisement, it is hard to believe that some Georgians would choose the mandated billboard on their cars to make a statement to certain groups that they do not really belong. How about these three words: “From many, one”?
Michael Ward, Decatur
POLITICS
Writer’s brain appears to have disappeared
Bemoaning the AJC’s recent coverage of Gov. Rick Perry’s background, a recent letter writer asked that the same treatment be given President Barack Obama because of the “mystery” of his background (“Thanks for info on Perry; now tell us about Obama,” Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 25).
I suggest that the true mystery is the apparent disappearance of the brain matter which once occupied the space between the writer’s ears.
Toby Barwick, Lilburn
President Obama
It would be hard to top Columbia and Harvard
Regarding “Thanks for info on Perry; now tell us about Obama” (Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 25), frankly, I am sick of the barely veiled racism that has plagued this president. Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Maybe some don’t appreciate it, but an education doesn’t get any better than that. Criticize the president for his policies or his leadership if you must, but get off this insane, and totally inane, attack on his legitimacy.
Lloyd E. Fleming, Duluth
