Compiled from a Just Say “Know” Press Release
The Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Campaign today contacted supporters worldwide requesting their activism in the case case pending between Eli Lilly and Jim Gottstein.
 If there is a case that dramatically highlights the need to stop blindly taking prescriptions drugs, this is it  |
The action filed by Eli Lilly against Gottstein secured an injunction against Gottstein for securing court sealed documents detailing the side effects of Zyprexa and passing them on to the New York Times.
According to The New York Times story: “Disparity Emerges in Lilly Data on Schizophrenia Drug”, published on December 21, 2006.
According to the Just Say “Know” Campaign, Eli Lilly documents allegedly show that the company intentionally downplayed Zyprexa’s side effects. These side effects include weight gain and high blood sugar, which the Times reported are important risk factors for diabetes.
The campaign is focusing on the fact that more than 20 million people have taken Zyprexa, potentially exposing themselves to dramatic weight increases, diabetes and other life-threatening medical conditions, according to the Times article.
“If there is a case that dramatically highlights the need to stop blindly taking prescriptions drugs, this is it,” said Dr. Greg Tefft, co-founder of the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Campaign. “We’re talking 20 million people potentially at risk and more being added daily,” said Tefft.
Instead of focusing on the actions of Eli Lilly, the FDA or the judge that suppressed the documents, the campaign is keeping with its strategy of shifting the focus to what consumers can do to protect themselves.
“We are going directly to consumers and encouraging them to know what they are taking. We are convinced that the way to solve this problem is to work the demand side of the market,” said Tefft.
The Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Campaign has attracted support from a broad cross section of people, including influential professionals, medical doctors, pharmacists, psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, actors, filmmakers, producers and concerned citizens from 121 countries around the world. The official web site for the campaign was launched in January to support year round activism working up to Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs Month in October.
Organizations and individuals who want to participate in the campaign may go to https://justsayknow.kpncradio.com
Primary funding for the campaign is provided by Dr. Greg Tefft, who is also providing hosting for the site at www.KPNCradio.com. For more information contact Errol Smith, Media Relations, Jackstreet Media at 818-334-4322.
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