People, the pharmaceutical giants have spent billions of dollars in drug ads on television, in medical journals and in many newspapers, magazines, or media sources to convince you to use their chemical concoctions to relieve all kinds of symptoms. What is mostly in fine print, if it's there at all, is a list of cautions or possible problems with taking that drug.
I used to have a PDR (Physician's Desk Reference), and much of the very thick book dealt with contraindications, warnings, or possible consequences for taking the very medication being prescribed for you.
As a nurse, I watched how "drug reps (representatives) worked physicians with the latest information right from the company about how the newest was the best to "help" their patients. Since most physicians became doctors with the altruistic view of helping people, they were open to these suggestions.
There were many perks. I was once married to a medical student. His class, at a well-respected Eastern university, were taken with their wives to New York City and greatly pampered. (Did I say that it could be looked on as a bribe?) Students, over time, were given stethoscopes, drug samples, and other small medical helps.
The most egregious thing, to my way of thinking, came after they took us to Canada for a tour through their factory. At the end, while sitting in the office of some official, an almost irresistable offer came. If you will sign a contract stating that you will only use our drugs, we will pay your medical school expenses. One man signed up.
NTD news just reported that "100,000 bottles of a commonly used beta-blocker drug used to treat high blood pressure was classified by the Food and Drug Administration at its second-highest recall level."
The drug was a well known beta-blocker used to treat a variety of heart related problems. The name? "Metroprolol Succinate ER" in different milligrams. A separate recall came from a manufacturer in India and took back 33,000 bottles of the same drug.
All of these drugs address symptoms. However, they usually don't mention that, because they're interferring with normal body pathways, that will frequently cause other symptoms. Not to worry. They have another drug to take care of those.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new drug safety program called REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy). This is meant to prevent, monitor, and manage serious risks by telling, educatng and by other means to lessen the frequency or severity of the events.
In September of 2024, a particular product used to help prevent pneumonia, was contaminated with a certain bacteria that had its origins in Yunnan, China. The bacteria was life-threatening to patients whose immune systems were compromised. The company did a recall.
In October of 2024, Staska Pharmaceuticals, Inc. did a recall of an Ascorbic Acid solution used for injections. It had tiny glass particles in one lot of vials. That was also life threatening if it traveled to hearts, lungs or the brain. People had been warned to look at the vials before using the solution in case there were contaminates. (How comfortable does that make you?)
Another beta blocker medicine, Carvedilol was "named in three enforcement reports:" Reason for the recall? "Impurity" "above the FDA-recommended limit." Number of bottles? 17,496 from three different lots. However, different dosages of the same drug also had recalls, totalling over 100,000 bottles.
Blood pressure drug, Metoprolol Tartrate or Lopressor, was used to lower blood pressure. It too was in an enforcement report. Bottles involved? 21,128 https://www.thehealthy.com/news/heart-medication-recalls-august-2025/
Feb. 27, 2026 Rhino Choco VIP 10X contained another drug that was not on the label. That chemical could interfere with diabetics, those with heart or blood pressure problems. Consumers were told to contact the company for a full refund. 1-800-872-5377 or
Feb. 13, 2026 One lot of Alkaloids, Chewable Tablets-White Vein contained more of the chemical than stated on the label. For a refund, register your return. https://recall.cbdamericanshaman.com/
Feb. 5, 2026 The U.S. FDA alerted people about changes to the label of capecitabine (Xeloda) and fluorouraciil (5-FU). These both gave risks to those who had a genetic disorder. Their enzymes broke down certain chemical components making it life-threatening. The product now contains warnings.
Jan. 09, 2026 Anthony Trinh, 123Herbals LLC had a nationwide recall of Silintan capsules. They were tainted with Meloxicam which is used to help manage osteoarthric pain. Because this is a drug, this diet supplement can't be marketed as a dietary supplement. That drug also has life-threatening possibilities for susceptible people.
Anthony Trinh, 123Herbals LLC by email at
Jan. 9, 2026 Modern Warrior Ready Dietary Supplement has been recalled. It had 3 undeclared ingredients. Tianeptine can trigger suicidal ideation in children, adolescents and young adults, plus a host of other symptoms including seizures. It was distributed from April 2022 to December 8, 2025. Product name: "Body Repair Plan."
Company contact: (314)) 713-1984
If we go back to 2005, There is a long list of drugs that have been recalled for a wide variety of reasons. I don't know what the pharmaceutical companies did about them. However, I think of the old statement. "Caveat emptor." Buyer beware.
This is a time to look at more natural means of taking care of your bodies. Herbs have been used for centuries. Certain old-time medications had far better results with much less potential for harm than the huge drug list of today's medications.
Search Assist said there were currently 23,000 different prescription drugs being marketed in the United States. That number continues to grow.
market.us Media said that the US has the largest number of prescription drug sales, Over $500 billion in 2021.Antitiotics, worldwide, were the most commonly prescribed drugs. (They don't work on viruses. Most people don't know that.)
I don't know about you, but with the many toxins we're already being daily exposed to, I look mostly to natural means to take care of our bodies. That seems the safest way by far. In today's world, it takes research, understanding and good choices to do so. Reading labels is becoming a must.
Stay healthy, my friends.
Nancy Pidutti, PhD, nurse, Chaplain, Author
