Lobbyists Use MJ's Death to Restrict Propofol
Lobbyists Use MJ's Death to Restrict Propofol
about a minute ago by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's death is Exhibit A for California lobbyists who are pushing for a law restricting the use of Propofol.
Michael's Law is being pushed by a group of people ... all of whom have lost loved ones to the misuse of Propofol. They've been going door-to-door in L.A. and Santa Barbrara -- handing out leaflets that describe the drug and how it killed MJ.
Their goal is "to prevent doctors from making careless choices, and stop them from administrating drugs that should not be administered outside of the hospital setting."
The Drug Enforcement Administration just announced it's considering tighter restrictions on Propofol.
<!-- m -->http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/20/michael-j ... alifornia/<!-- m -->
about a minute ago by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's death is Exhibit A for California lobbyists who are pushing for a law restricting the use of Propofol.
Michael's Law is being pushed by a group of people ... all of whom have lost loved ones to the misuse of Propofol. They've been going door-to-door in L.A. and Santa Barbrara -- handing out leaflets that describe the drug and how it killed MJ.
Their goal is "to prevent doctors from making careless choices, and stop them from administrating drugs that should not be administered outside of the hospital setting."
The Drug Enforcement Administration just announced it's considering tighter restrictions on Propofol.
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Comments
BTW- where did this picture of MJ come from? It's interesting with that award (?) and doll case (?) in the background.......the case reminds me of the doll/toy display we saw at the Encino house. Wonder what the award(?) is from....it's a pyramid (lol) TMZ uses some interesting photos!
Thanks for the post Mo!
Blessings Always!
BTW, the picture comes from MJ Capitol Hill visit as a guest of congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee in March 2004. He discussed with members of Congress his commitment to fighting the epidemic of AIDS in Africa.
This is interesting... i had the impression that the use of Propofol outside hospital settings was practically unheard of before Michael Jackson, and now TMZ is reporting that there were more deaths related to Propofol misuse..?
not sure whether to take this article seriously, but it's good that there's a closer inspection of docs and drug-misuse.
Anyone know where that photo's from?
So sorry! Missed that! <!-- s:oops: -->:oops:<!-- s:oops: -->
Thanks for pointing it out. <!-- s:) -->:)<!-- s:) -->
Just look into his eyes, the eyes of the man we never knew.
Usually TMZ posts a photo in a corner, not a whole picture of Michael. Could this mean something ? I think yes, but don't know what yet.
Also I have noticed that they normally post him with sunglasses on with something reflected in them. I know, I am losing it. <!-- s
There are apparently some references to "Michael's law" out there, one example is "driving while intoxicated" in New Jersey <!-- m -->http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor ... pl?id=1708<!-- m -->
but I have no clue whether there is any link here or TMZ is just calling Propofol proposed restrictions Michael's Law <!-- s:? -->:?<!-- s:? -->
Yes, this time we see his eyes, he knows we want to see his eyes, even if he looks great with sunglasses <!-- s:D -->:D<!-- s:D -->
This direct look maybe tells us he's closer to us than usual <!-- s:? -->:?<!-- s:? --> ?
Anyway, he looks like he's watching something with interest and a little amused
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"A group of campaigners, who have all reportedly lost loved ones to Propofol, are calling for "Michael's Law" and are handing out leaflets in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California urging residents to join their bid "to prevent doctors from making careless choices, and stop them from administrating drugs that should not be administered outside of the hospital setting."
I live in San Diego and will be watching the news for any mention of Michael's Law. Like Jukebox, though, I question the face value of this. I find it hard to believe there are enough people (just in the LA area) who have lost loved ones to Propofol outside of a hospital setting that they can form their own group. TMZ hasn't reported what the name of the group is, either.
Alt text: 0623-mj-getty-ex-01.
File name and location: <!-- m -->http://ll-media.tmz.com/2010/09/17/0623 ... credit.jpg<!-- m -->
TMZ always uses the date they (plan to) publish and article in the file name and alt text, but I can't find this pic in their archives. I'd like to know what article they planned to publish on June 23 (of whatever year), and why they decided not to.
Hardly - See this CNN article from July 15, 2009:
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The Drug Enforcement Administration said Wednesday it's considering tighter restrictions on propofol, a drug reportedly found after Michael Jackson's death in the Holmby Hills, California, mansion he rented.
"We were petitioned and have been been looking into it for the past two years," said DEA spokesman Rusty Payne, who added in response to a question that the inquiry had not been affected by the singer's death of cardiac arrest on June 25.
The agency is looking at designating the sedative as a "scheduled" drug, which would tighten restrictions on the its distribution and use.
Payne said he could not divulge anything related to the Jackson investigation, "but I can tell you that researchers making the decision about propofol would typically be interested in any information that would help them answer questions about the effects of propofol and its potential harm to the user."
Propofol, known by the trade name of Diprivan, is administered intravenously in operating rooms as a powerful anesthetic and sedative.
Payne said concern about the drug's potential for abuse led to the petition. But, he added, "as far as we know, this is not something that's been highly abused."
Payne said he did not know who had sought the change, adding, "Typically we would not make that public."
The process required to get a drug scheduled is a lengthy one, involving a number of agencies, he said.
"Lots of experts weigh in on questions such as potential for abuse, pharmacological effects, history and current patterns abuse," he said.
Nutritionist Cherilyn Lee has said Jackson pleaded for the drug as a sleep aid, despite being told of its potentially harmful effects.
And sources close to Jackson told CNN that the insomniac singer traveled with an anesthesiologist who would "take him down" at night and "bring him back up" during a world tour in the mid-1990s.
The Associated Press and The Los Angeles Times, citing unidentified sources, have reported that police found Diprivan among Jackson's medicines.
Officials have said that the exact cause of death and whether drug use may have been involved will not be determined until after toxicology tests are completed, which could be several weeks.
On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory, saying two lots of a generic version of the drug had tested positive for endotoxin, a contaminant. The drug maker, Teva Pharmaceuticals, voluntarily recalled the lots. No fatalities were reported.
Every coin has a flip side. Look at it that way. Medical professionals take it themselves and o.d. That's been on the rise for many years.
Thu May 27, 2010 8:54pm EDT
LOS ANGELES May 27 (Reuters) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.TA) (TEVA.O) said on Thursday that it has decided to discontinue manufacturing propofol.
The drug is used to sedate patients before medical procedures.
Teva said in an emailed statement that it will continue to support product that is already on the market.
The FDA warned Teva, in a December 2009 letter released last month, that a 2009 inspection showed problems with the manufacture of propofol at a Teva plant in Irvine, California.
The company had failed, for example, to test each lot of raw materials used to make propofol for certain toxins, the FDA said.
Israel-based Teva earlier this month was ordered by a Las Vegas court to pay $356 million in punitive damages to a Nevada man who contracted hepatitis C two years ago after the anesthetic was reused for colonoscopy or endoscopy procedures.
Teva made the drug and Baxter International Inc (BAX.N) distributed it. Baxter was ordered to pay $144 million.
Teva said it plans to appeal, believes the evidence shows it acted responsibly and the clinic did not follow instructions to change needles after each patient. (Reporting by Deena Beasley; editing by Carol Bishopric)
Article can be found here at Reuters...
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It's Michael Jackson's law against unfair journalism.. <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
Michael Jackson’s Law
There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one.
~Michael Jackson
It will take a long time and much effort to pass this proposed legislation. We need your support. Please join us by subscribing to our newsletter.
<!-- m -->http://mjtruthnow.com/mainstream-media/ ... ksons-law/<!-- m -->
First, it’s necessary to define a new term. Medialoid (mainstream media infected by tabloid journalism) publishes content that is more suitable for tabloid publications.
Proposed
Michael Jackson’s Law
Part 1 — Professionalization of Journalism. Many occupations require licensing; for example, doctors, lawyers, architects, and accountants must be licensed in all 50 states. To qualify, one must graduate from an accredited university and pass a rigorous board examination. A license doesn’t guarantee a doctor, lawyer, architect, or accountant will be competent. However, licensing prevents a plumber from operating on a person, a homemaker from arguing in court, a dog groomer from designing a building, or a student from maintaining the books of a corporation.
Is it no less important that those entrusted with reporting world events be licensed? Reporters should not be allowed to call themselves journalists unless they graduate from an accredited university with a degree in journalism (including at least one course in journalism ethics and one course in communications and media law) and pass a rigorous board examination.
Media play a huge role in our lives. Television, radio, the Internet, movies, books, and newspapers inform and influence our ideas, opinions, values, and beliefs. They shape our understanding of the world and give us the information we need to hold our leaders accountable. They help us separate fact from opinion.
If formal journalism training and licensing had been required of Diane Dimond and Nancy Grace, neither would have been hired by any news organization. If either had been hired without credentials, the news company that hired them may have been fined for hiring unlicensed persons. Clearly, if Dimond and Grace had not been perceived as journalists, their works of fiction may not have confused the public.
The Society of Professional Journalists believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and balanced account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility. A journalist shall lose his or her license for failing to adhere to principles of journalistic ethics and integrity.
Code of Ethics for Journalists
Part 2 — Defaming the dead shall be prohibited. A deceased person’s heirs can sue for libel and slander as aggressively as the person who was defamed when he or she was alive.
Part 3 — News agencies, journalists, and all media shall use public disclaimers to alert and educate readers and viewers regarding content. For example, the Food and Drug Administration protects against harmful claims that are misleading to the public. The following disclaimer must be included on products that purport to be effective but do not have FDA approval:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or medical condition.
Following is a proposed disclaimer that shall accompany all medialoid content:
The views expressed herein may not have been fact-checked or verified according to principles of journalistic ethics and integrity. In addition, rumor, barely credible sources, an appeal to emotion and the use of checkbook journalism may be a part of this story or program. This story or program is for entertainment purposes only and was not reviewed by a licensed journalist.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects against deceptive advertising that is misleading to the public. In like manner, a governing body shall be formed to uphold standards of ethics and integrity in journalism, oversee licensing for journalists, and protect against media practices that are harmful or mislead the public.
Tort Law and Journalistic Ethics: Too Late For Michael Jackson—by Richard T. Karcher
_______________________
On second thought, since Teva has stopped the manufacturing of propofol which would seemingly make the Michael Jackson's law about controlling propofol null and void, I think it is possible that TMZ's headline today is just a "heads-up" to get people to google "Michael Jackson's law" and come across the proposed legislation called Michael Jackson's law against unfair journalism and discover the website mjtruthnow.com. Just a thought! <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
Paula -
Just my opinion, but I think TMZ made up the group handing out flyers as a way to link the DEA story to MJ; otherwise, I don't see why TMZ would put out that information. Calling it "Michael's Law" not only links it to MJ but implies he will be the cause of any changes that take place. ForstAMoon tells us the pic is of MJ at Capitol Hill discussing (lobbying?) with members of Congress his commitment to fighting the AIDS epidemic in Africa. How fitting that they use the same pic in a story titled "Lobbyists Use MJ's Death to Restrict Propofol." Who's the lobbyist? This California group or MJ? Just a thought...
There has been a recent update on Propofol regulation; see this Anesthesiology News article dated September 16, 2010:
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By the way...As of 10 am, I have found FOUR "news" articles about Michael's Law from TMZ.com, Myjoyonline.com, 411mania.com, and Examiner.com. All are basically blog or gossip sites, and the latter three are using TMZ.com as their source. The Examiner actually used the phrase "California Lobbyists," which I suppose is technically accurate but gives the impression that paid political lobbyists are walking the halls and petitioning lawmakers rather than a non-identified group handing out flyers door-to-door. 411mania.com doesn't even cite TMZ as the source but it's clear they are just repeating TMZ's story and have not done any verification of facts. In fact, none of them have. Once again, TMZ trumps all the others with the story; right?
So sad how easily the masses can be manipulated.
I agree. Please see my two posts above. <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
BTW... the picture is good! <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
Great info, lovemj4everandever. I saw that somewhere before, too, and think it's an absolute necessity. Journalists hold as much power to nurture or destroy as any doctor of medicine. Journalists should be licensed to "practice" and be held accountable when they violate professional standards. There's always been propaganda and misinformation, but things have gotten exponentially worse since the internet came along. We point out all the time that anonymous posters can say anything about the hoax. Well, it's happening on a global scale, too, with all these sites that allow "contributors" to report opinion pieces as news or regurgitate stories from other sites without crediting the source or checking facts.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but it's just all so frustrating when I see people all around me at work, etc. eating it all up without so much as a second thought.
Everything gets abused in LA,it's only really just coming to light how much of what and how people are getting it.Maybe it is part of the 'plan' to bring corrupt Dr's there down....THERE IS ENOUGH OF THEM!!
Hell all up in Hollywood.....for reals.
Do you think the pics on each TMZ articles are relevant as clues?
Thanks <!-- s:) -->:)<!-- s:) -->