Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Firefighters PANTS ON FIRE

Yup. Everyone is catching on. How many of y'all will it take to figure out that your lies are FUCKING STUPID???

Drug shortages worry Tampa Bay emergency medical providers
By Anne Lindberg, Times Staff WriterTampa Bay Times
In Print: Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A nationwide shortage of some lifesaving drugs has hit Tampa Bay emergency medical responders, forcing them to find other ways to care for their patients.

Paramedics regularly use many of the drugs to relieve pain, to help with a heart attack or to calm combative patients. So far, the EMS systems have been able to substitute one drug for another — for example, morphine instead of the painkiller fentanyl, which is in low supply.

The shortage is hitting especially hard in Pinellas, where most medications are back-ordered, EMS medical director Laurie Romig said. The problem is especially critical for pain relievers, sedatives and heart medications. Pinellas is down to its last doses of fentanyl. And Valium, used to calm combative patients and for seizures and pain management, is back-ordered.

"We're talking lifesaving drugs," Romig said. "I think it's going to get worse before it gets better."

Tampa and Hillsborough also are facing shortages of some commonly used medicines.

"It is problematic, yes, but it hasn't hit critical mass," said Nick loCicero, assistant chief of administration and rescue for Tampa Fire Rescue. "We're all in kind of the same boat."

The Tampa department has seen shortages of such drugs as Terbutaline, which helps asthmatics to breathe; Labetalol, used to regulate heart rhythm; and Cardizem, used for high blood pressure and other heart problems.

Karen Davidson, rescue division chief for Hillsborough Fire and Rescue, said the shortage has not centered on one drug but "changes daily." The department is finding it hard to get Versed, which can be used as a sedative or anesthetic. EMS paramedics frequently use it to make it easier to insert breathing tubes. Also back-ordered is magnesium sulfate, used as a muscle relaxer.

Sporadic drug shortages are not unusual, but the number of reported prescription drug shortages in the United States nearly tripled between 2005 and 2010, according to the federal Food and Drug Administration.

The shortages appear to be caused by several factors, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Among those: a lack of production capacity and expiration of patents, which allows other companies to make generics. It takes time, the HHS report said, for manufacturers to gear up to make the drugs.

Complicating the issue, Romig said, are the problems faced by Hospira, the Illinois company that makes many of the generic medications Tampa Bay emergency medical agencies use.

The FDA has criticized the company for inadequate quality controls. Hospira has said it is fixing the problems, but Romig said the situation makes things difficult for consumers.

"Right now, we don't know whether we will be able to continue getting drugs from that manufacturer," she said. "It could be very much worse if Hospira goes down."

In the short term, Tampa Bay area EMS systems have been substituting one drug for another. They also order different dosage sizes that are more readily available.

Romig has created a committee to study creative solutions to the problem.

Romig said no one calling 911 for help should worry: "We're doing everything we can to preserve our ability to treat our patients as we always have."

Reach Anne Lindberg at alindberg@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8450.



[Last modified: Dec 26, 2011 08:37 PM]

Pinellas Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2011 Tampa Bay Times



Click here to post a comment
If you see an objectionable comment, click Report Abuse.
Viewing 1 - 12 of 12 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated

grammapoker Dec 26, 2011 3:01 PM Yesterday It all boils down to the drug companies wanting more and more money. Crooks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply Report Abuse 3 9 JamesD Dec 26, 2011 6:42 PM Yesterday They are going to have to get hteir drugs the same way everyone else does. Go to a sham doctor and tell them you have undisclosed pain.
Reply Report Abuse 2 5 SteroidTestTampaPolice Dec 26, 2011 8:32 PM Yesterday Maybe they should STOP STEALING THEM
Reply Report Abuse 3 5 nevertheless Dec 26, 2011 9:06 PM Yesterday Steroid, maybe you should stop TAKING them
Reply Report Abuse 1 6 irefusetobepc Dec 26, 2011 11:11 PM Yesterday morphine is better anyway
Reply Report Abuse 1 2 orangebeagle Dec 26, 2011 11:30 PM Yesterday This is hogwash... Get the medications to the people that need it. It's all about the companies want $$$$$. Bet all the countries we take care of have TONS of these medications. Open up the Canadian connection.
Reply Report Abuse 1 5 cynic Dec 27, 2011 12:50 AM About 18 hours ago greed+shortage=death dam'em
Reply Report Abuse 0 2 ian80 Dec 27, 2011 12:53 AM About 18 hours ago The United States of America is missing drugs? Come on people, give them up . We know you have them!
Reply Report Abuse 0 1 willie_from_penniless_park Dec 27, 2011 5:51 AM About 13 hours ago what drug shortage? there are plenty of drugs available around Tampa Bay
Reply Report Abuse 2 2 jezjames92 Dec 27, 2011 8:47 AM About 10 hours ago Valium and versed are anti-anxiety drugs, not "life-saving"drugs. Fentanyl is a pain killer stronger than morphine not a "life-saving" drug. Terbutaline, labetalol and cardizem have other substitutes. Why would anyone want drugs from a problem manufacturer. There are other drugs manufactured by reputable drug manufacturers. This sounds squirrely.
Reply Report Abuse 4 0
SJL Dec 27, 2011 9:21 AM About 9 hours ago Valium is a lifesaving drug when it's used to stop a grand-mal seizure. Versed is a lifesaving drug when it is used to intubate someone who can't breathe. Reply Report Abuse 0 6 sandyo Dec 27, 2011 5:57 PM About 1 hour ago Sure IS squirrely. And it sure is a devious method to articial price bumps by generic and other manufacturers. It's not as if they are not shoveling in the profits!! Are you 99% starting to feel jerked around?? Then, come Occupy with us! write sandyo@PassERA.org Reply Report Abuse 0 1 Darby Dec 27, 2011 8:58 AM About 10 hours ago I'll bet there's no shortage of Lipitor.
Reply Report Abuse 0 2
goldengirl Dec 27, 2011 5:33 PM About 1 hour ago ...or Viagra... Reply Report Abuse 0 1 sandyo Dec 27, 2011 6:00 PM About 30 minutes ago Lipitor is another scam: their patent expired but thru the courts Lipitor's profitteers won a continuation of the SAME PRICE to consumers even though it's sold to us as atorvastatin, the generic for about 6 more months! get it?--they want to squeeze us consumers EVEN more though it's not really legit to charge proprietary med prices for generic as in this case! I am watching to see if Diovan (for BP) will take the same tack. What exactly remains illegal anymore??? Reply Report Abuse 0 0 ej033 Dec 27, 2011 11:51 AM About 7 hours ago Don't forget the ever increasing regulations drug manufacturers have to meet and the DEA adding icing to that cake. That is the main reason it takes so long for makers to actually start to make a drug product. If the free market could operate, then there would be astronger drug supply. The goverent is fostering a shortage environment.
Reply Report Abuse 1 2
sandyo Dec 27, 2011 6:09 PM About 21 minutes ago WHAT "new regulations" other than the scheduled phases development have always existed. Please? Pharma has ALWAYS complained that R & D costs were what jack up the prices. It's not so, when you consider the longevity of the prices post-market. Again, Big Pharma's obscene profits off our backs should make speed of delivery ever so easy nowadays! Another scam. Everyone know that your docs or nurse practitioners should be writing prescriptions for generics where they exist? You save tons $, Another tip: the expiration date so sanctimoniously inscribed on the bottle is very often shortchanging you--most meds last in a cool dry environment at least 2 yrs longer than they claim. Only a very few change after that, and 99% of the changes are only in loss of potency! I write a 1000+ pg pharm resource text w/international distribution but you can sure compare prices via internet or your favorite pharmacists. You can also ask about actual loss of potency of yr meds, if you can trust them. Reply Report Abuse 0 0
larryburnettwhitetrashtenants Dec 27, 2011 6:44 PM About -1 minutes ago I think there are many addicted fire personnel and emergency personnel. You can kinda tell when you see them. Vacant faces, 1000 mile stares. It's weird. Don't remember that from previously.
Reply Report Abuse

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

W562PD to YA5LK

Thanks, idiots !!!!!

Henry...................................................... looks like another of your churchy friends??????????????????


Cause that ho Jessica sho nuff be a lil Christian like you and your "renters" and Colin's buddy, FITZ the preacher.

THIS IS AWESOME THOUGH: Nothing like bringing it to me.

There is also YA5LD and YA5L1 ?? I believe which belonged to spence roberts until the fat chicken shit changed it. NOT JESS. She's GOT PROTECTION. LOL !!!


With all proceeds going to fund the needs of the St. George Island volunteer fire department and first responders, Shepard made a push this year to spread word that the department's ladder truck was instrumental in quenching a devastating fire at a downtown Apalachicola bank last November.

"I knew it was going to be tough, with the way the economy is," he said.

In a letter to last year's participants, Shepard provided a link to Howard Reeder's video of the fire, complete with images of the ladder truck helping prevent a widespread conflagration downtown such as what leveled the city in 1900.

"The ladder truck was purchased three years ago with proceeds raised at the Chili Cookoff," he wrote to last year's field. "Without you guys, there would be no cook-off. In a roundabout way, you all helped save Apalachicola. That's your fire truck. Our people are responsible for that truck being there."

Highlighting the cook-off's returnees are 2001 and 2004 winner Diane Melancon, of Double D Chili, out of Gonzales, LA; 2005 winner Ron Judson, of Great American Chili Co. Too, out of Red Bluff, CA; 2006 winner Bruce Gaylor, of Dead Serious Chili #3, of Tampa; 2007 winner Doug Smith, of Dead Serious Chili, out of Clearwater; and last year's champ, Paul Nunn, of Nunn Better Chili, out of Ft. Pierce.

The cook-off has expanded mightily since it started 27 years ago and, a few years following that, decided to draw more participants by becoming official within chili circles.

"We joined the ICS as a way to get chili cooks to come," said Shepard. "And that worked out and this became part of the steppingstone for serious cooks to go on to the national championship.

When he considers the field of contestants, Shepard said it ranges from purists, looking for a win that will propel them to the world championships, to those who are on the island mainly to have a good time, and savor the frivolity and camaraderie the cook-off brings.

"And there's like the Parrotheads," Shepard said, citing a boisterous group with chapters in both Atlanta and Tallahassee that each year takes part in the cook-off.

"Those guys are here to party," he said. "They're not concerned so much for the actual chili competition. But they bring five to six carloads of people, they rent places and they shop at the local grocery."

With one foot in both camps are groups like Tampa's Dead Serious chili teams, who bring a casket and cut flowers as a playful, macabre touch to their efforts, and who won last year and are usually among the top finalists.

In addition to a ticket to the world championship, competitors compete for a $500 prize for first place, a $300 check for second place, and a $200 prize for third place. Plaques are also awarded to the best booth, best showmanship and high yield, which means most money raised from $1 cup sales that benefit the fire department.

The weekend gets underway Thursday morning with a golf tournament at St. James Bay Golf Course, with tee time at 11 a.m. Golfers are welcome to show up on day of tourney; entry fee is $100 per golfer.

Friday's activities begin with an art preview from 5 to 7 p.m. in the civic hall of the Jay Abbott fire house on East Pine Street. Admission is a $5 preview donation.

On Saturday, the 5K Red Pepper Run gets underway at 8 a.m., under the direction of Susan Bassett.

Booth set-up begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 9:30 a.m. start of the amateur crock pot chili competition. These are chilies prepared at home, minimum one gallon, with no rules for competition There is a $5 entry fee, and all proceeds go to the charity cook-off.

The formal competition begins at 10 a.m. with chopping, slicing, marinating, and the like, with stoves lit officially at 11 a.m. Rules in effect include no beans, pasta, etc. chili prepared on site from scratch, no prepackaged chili mixes, meat may be cut, sliced or ground in advance, but not treated or cooked except during competition.

The charity auction, conducted by Wade Clark and Harry Arnold, begins at 11 a.m. followed by booth and showmanship judging beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Ticia Lipscomb, the cookoff's treasurer, said the list of items to be auctioned off include a 2002 Ford Explorer "in excellent condition, with all the records from the day it was bought."

Also being auctioned are a 1987 23' Proline fishing boat, a 22' sailboat, and a 17' aluminum canoe, as well over a hundred items ranging from unique art to gift certificates to vacation stays and more.

The Miss Chili Pepper and Mister Hot Sauce judging is between noon and 1:30 p.m., with chili judging at 2 p.m.

The "King Cotton Blues Band" will start playing at around 3 p.m., once the auction stops.

For more info on the chili cook-off, go to http://www.stgeorgeislandchili.com or call 927-3473.



Chili cooks, are you ready?

Listed below are the list of participants for the Gulf Coast Regional competition, Saturday, March 7 at the 27th annual St. George Island Chili Cookoff.



Cooks Team Name City/State

Rex Humphries
and Susan Gary Owl Café Apalachicola

Douglas Essing Me, Myself & I Brandon
Steve King Funky Oyster Shack Carrabelle
George Pruitt Eastpoint Fire Dept Chili Team Eastpoint
Steve Merrill Blow & Go Lynn Haven
Paul Nunn Nunn Better Chili Ft Pierce
Tim Nunn Nunn Better Chili Two MacClenny
Jonathan Joseph Atlantic Coast Chili Company Titusville
Ken Burke Dead Serious Tampa
Bruce Gaylor Dead Serious Tampa
Doug Smith Dead Serious Clearwater
Larry Meitensieger Dead Serious Clearwater
Doug Roy K.A.T.N. Chili Clearwater
George Nelson Crawfordville
Bobby Tyre Tallahassee Parrotheads Crawfordville
Richard Saucer Lighthouse Chili St. George Island
John Alexander Emerald Coast Chili Gulf Breeze
John Alexander Emerald Coast Chili Gulf Breeze
Chris Moore
and Ted Bergquist The 19th Bowl Tallahassee

Sandy Walker G.R.I.T.'s Chili Tallahassee
Larry Hines Big Belly Chili Tallahassee
Ron Humphries
and Dana Kelly Mad Cow Chili Tallahassee

Rick Peckham Peckerhead Chili Tallahassee
Chuck Stubbs Blue Water Cooking Company Tallahassee
Bill Avery Team Waterdog Tallahassee
Kim Poole
and Dana Jones Hot Lips Chili Tallahassee

Chuck Markley White Dog Chili Tallahassee
Lee Harrison White Dog Chili Tallahassee
John Homan Rajin Cajun Tallahassee
Matt Carson Decent Chili Tallahassee
Corey Clark Yellow Creek Swamp Sauce Quincy
Chad West Yellow Creek Swamp Sauce Quincy
Mike Vowell Whistle Stop Chili Panacea
Tracy Connors
and Jim Long Red Hot Chili Peppers Panama City

Jim Fulton Red Hots Panama City
John Kowals Beach Bums Panama City Beach
Holly Melzer Swamp Gas Chili Panama City Beach
Wanda Gangswich Three Sheets to the Wind Panama City Beach
Douglas Essing Brandon
Trent Hatcher Buffalo Breath Chili Santa Rosa Beach
Larry Weltikol Palm Coast
Jan Weltikol Palm Coast
Rus Pishnery Holly Tamales Wewahitchka
Lynn Ellis Bubba and Cha Cha's Chili Acworth, GA
Mark Tolar Atlanta Parrotheads Atlanta, GA
Pete Zimheld
and Jim Lambert Team OAF Atlanta, GA

Payton Nesmith Chili Chokers Boston GA
Steven Nelson D & D Chili Canton, GA
Lane Blair Fatty Blair's Bowl of Red Douglasville, GA
Gary Glass Racing Good Chili Fayetteville, GA
Don Simmons 4-Amigos Hahira, GA
John Blackwell Red Tail Chili Kennesaw, GA
Julia Spires Laughing Pepper 2 Lawrenceville, GA
David Dittmar Laughing Pepper 1 Lawrenceville, GA
Chuck Reeve Bus from Heaven, Chili from Hell Lawrenceville GA
Sabrina Reeve Bus from Heaven, Chili from Hell Lawrenceville GA
Glenn Chandler Outlaw Chili Lawrenceville, GA
Connie Porter Outlaw Chili II Lawrenceville, GA
Jerry Harrell Bulls Dozers Macon, GA
Rocky Mills Big Shots Chili Macon, GA
Calvin Nolan Tabasco Jacks Valdosta, GA
Jim Fielding Lowndes County Chili Steamers Valdosta, GA
Gary Dorris Team Toilet Bowl Valdosta, GA
Ed Branch Team Toilet Bowl Valdosta, GA
Diane Melancon Double D Chili Gonzales, LA
Norman Melancon Double D Chili Gonzales, LA
Ron Judson Great American Chili Co. Too Red Bluff, CA
Rocky Rockwell Buffalo Breath Chili Rochester, NY
J.G. Carver The Spice Boys Hoover, AL
Charlie Chile Charlie Livonia, MI
Pete Skwiers Haunted Chili Livonia, MI


See archived 'Local News' stories »I guess this eplains why otto is still at tampa trib and why his sister is jess's good friend at the YMCA... huh???? Does your ugly fat ass also pass by unnoticed like brad culpepper??? LOL ! Oh, HENRY. You should retire.