Saturday, February 27, 2010

Dear GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals,

Thank you for your recent letter concerning Super Poligrip denture adhesive.

(click to enlarge)




It was thoughtful of you to notify me that this product (all 3 varieties) will no longer be available. How much it cost you to send this letter to every doctor in the U.S. & Canada I have no idea.

In all honesty, I have never, ever, ever, recommended a specific denture adhesive to anyone. In fact, in 12 years of practice, I don't think a patient has ever mentioned their chosen brand of such a product to me. Generally, the study of neurology is pretty far removed from whatever substance people might be using to glue their false teeth to their gums.

My office colleague Dr. Pissy, for whatever reason, hasn't gotten your letter yet. I told him this was likely because he was on your Poligrip consumer, rather than prescriber list. He was not amused.

Yours truly,

Ibee Grumpy, M.D.

11 comments:

Science Marches On said...

Nations et al (2008) Denture cream: an unusual source of excess zinc, leading to hypocupremia and neurologic disease. Neurology. v71(9):639-43.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Yeah, I'm aware of the zinc issues. I just thought it was comical they felt the need to send this letter to so many.

The New Mommy said...

I got this same letter at my pharmacy!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I didn't hear about it. What am I going to do about the two cases I bought on sale at bargain basement sale at Christmas?

[I really didn't by the stuff--I use my own thank you. My question: why isn't this information given to the general public that has already purchased the product? Is a letter to the MD or pharmacy the best way to disseminate this information, since the stuff is sold in Five & Dime, Big Lots, or grocery stores?]

Anonymous said...

I got this letter at my pharmacy, so they're spending more money than you think!

Cthulhu Sashimi said...

Probably a viral marketing scheme. Now everyone is going to run out and stock up on "the good Poli-Grip" like they did with Coke 25 years ago.

Classof65 said...

There is a newsletter published by the FDA (or, at least, there used to be) that I received when I worked for a medical product manufacturer. The newsletter listed all current medical recalls -- and there were quite a few going on at any given time. I have no idea why this information is not made public automatically. I think I'll go look at the FDA's web-site to see if they now list all recalls... might be interesting.

Happy Vegemite said...

Hmmm, I wonder if these Polident problems have a say in Martha Raye's death?

C. said...

Suppose I'll just go without my teeth :)

Anonymous said...

Haha it's always such a treat to catch up on your blog!! *thanks*

NikkiK said...

hmm, no such letter has come to the dentists' office I work at (yet, anyway). why should we need to know such things?

 
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