Posted on 02/12/2018 5:44:03 PM PST by Armen Hareyan
Texas teacher named Heather Holland, aged 38, died of complications from the flu after she decided to give up medical treatment because she considered the 116 dollar Tamiflu "too expensive." The complications from flu-like disease led a 38-year-old teacher to the hospital where she died after a septic shock. The cost of the medicine that was prescribed is $116.
Heather Holland, of Weatherford, Texas, reportedly fell ill last Monday and two days later was diagnosed with the flu. According to Fox News, doctors prescribed Tamiflu, an antiviral drug that costs approximately $116.
However, according to a statement by Holland's husband...
(Excerpt) Read more at emaxhealth.com ...
I had almost the exact same, and yes it was a cold. No fever, no aches - just a cold ( it was a terrible cold with an awful cough bit still not as bad as flu)
and it’s only 10% effective on this years flu. But don’t let that deter us from sensationalizing the agenda.
I find it hard to blame death by septic shock, on the flu.
I understand secondary infection potential but thy realy dont connec the dots well here and just blame her not getting tamiflu in time.
People,take tamiflu and still die of the flu. People get flu shots and still die of the flu.
I had the same thing as you at Christmas. Started in my head and sunk into my chest. Lasted about 3 weeks for me as I am an ex-smoker. It was not the flu. I understand that the flu will leave you thinking you’ve been hit by a train. I felt bad but not that bad.
Also a person can get the flu shot now if they haven’t gotten one but it will take a few weeks before it takes the full effect. I don’t understand the panic about the flu this year unless the media is hyping it. It’s hard to say.
That said, the reality is that the dynamic has changed over the past several years because some generic pharmaceutical manufacturers (these are not big pharma) are jacking up prices instead of providing off patent drugs at a lower price. Sometimes this is because the pharmaceutical company that actually developed the drug have stopped producing it, leaving the generic producer with a monopoly (until and unless other generic manufacturers jump in).
I can't stand socialism, for a great many reasons, and am extremely pro-capitalist. However, even in capitalism we have to be vigilant to stop those who use any circumstance to exploit others. This is why there had to be anti-trust laws, SEC monitoring to stop insider trading, truth in advertising laws, etc. etc.
Who has ever known they had the flu in that time frame?
Nobody. It's a waste of money.
A teacher is a state gov’t worker. They have good insurance.
She paid for and took the medication. The problem is she waited too long to take it. Tamiflu is only effective when taken at the onset of the flu. She screwed up.
Do you think drug manufacturers should get compensated for the millions they spend to develop a medication?
Teachers usually have good insurance too. It’s part of their negotiated benefit package.
*** I understand that the flu will leave you thinking you’ve been hit by a train. ***
A few years ago, I had a virus that came on within a day or two of exposure. It lasted 36 hours roughly. That one hit me like a freight train. There was nothing I could have done to get better other than getting rest and letting it work its way through me. I had the fever and body aches, I was vomiting. I hurt everywhere, I was weak. It was horrible!
Did I mention I was on vacation, visiting my son for his birthday and Mother’s Day? I didn’t get to enjoy one second of either of those celebrations. Complete misery.
The cold I had that started just after Christmas was nothing like the other.
Two days after symptoms, not after contracting.
“1. People spend a lot of money on cell phones, internet, etc., but don’t want to spend money on life-saving medication. It’s a choice.”
You hit the nail square on the head! We all make choices on how we spend whatever income we get. Some will live well and be happy on 25 grand a year while others go broke making 250 grand a year. It’s all about priorities.
I truly feel sorry for this poor young lady, but somewhere along the line I feel a poor choice was made.
The whole story is very sad. Ms. Holland was a teacher with 3 years of experience in the Weatherford Independent School District. According to their compensation plan Ms. Holland earned a salary of $49,436 for the 10 month school year.
The cost of the copay should have been easily affordable for someone earning nearly $5,000 per month. And everyone with a job should save up at least $500 or $1000 for emergencies, and/or get a credit card and keep it for emergencies.
Getting the flu this year justifies tapping the emergency fund.
That sounds ghastly and with the worst possible timing. I understand that if you feel like you are going to die (or if you feel like you’d rather die than bear another minute of the pain) then it’s the flu.
I’m sorry for that lady’s family. I can totally understand her thinking: I’m going to tough it out rather than spend the money. I’ve done similar things in my ignorance. Fortunately for me, the cost was not my life. Prayers for her family.
I know - and most people don't realize it is the flu and the likelihood of getting the meds in time is nill.
And then, it would only reduce the symptoms by 2-days.
It's a fake-med!
Tamiflu must be taken within the first 48 hours of presenting symptoms to be effective.
If she had the flu for two days before going to the doctor, then she was past that period of time and the medicine would not have worked anyway.
To answer your questions.
I have no idea and no.
Thank you so much for an excellant analysis. You have really expressed this more intelligently and thoughtfully than my snarky rant. You have educated us all tonight.
I so appreciate your taking the time and effort to respond with such a kind and reasoned response...and yes, you correctly admonish that capitalism must also be ethical.
Yes, worth it.
Please also see post 35..a good analysis
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