Retro Rumors (40th Anniversary Episode)

Rumor vs Truth

In this special anniversary episode, Don and Steve throw it back to 1985—complete with mullets, mustaches, and popped collars—to celebrate 40 years of the Pharmacist’s Letter! Join them as they dig into the archives and revisit some of the earliest (and wildest) claims ever published.

They’ll reexamine research and insights into claims from yesteryear including:

• Whether topical minoxidil really works for hair regrowth (and why Steve looks like he joined the trial)
• The Vioxx scandal and how it reshaped FDA safety rules
• Why Darvocet disappeared from pharmacy shelves
• The truth about benzoyl peroxide and cancer risk (spoiler: it’s still safe!)
• How a drug from lizard spit became a blockbuster for weight loss.

This episode is packed with nostalgia, clinical pearls, and a few good laughs.

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

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The clinical resources mentioned are part of a subscription to Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, and Prescriber Insights:

• Article: See How Far We’ve Come in 40 Years
• Chart: Treatment and Prevention of Hair Loss
• Chart: Managing NSAID Risks
• Algorithm: Drug-Induced QT Prolongation: A Step-Wise Approach
• Chart: Pharmacotherapy of Acne
• Chart: Comparison of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

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Students: Access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

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Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Welcome (00:00:20)

3. Claim (1985): Topical minoxidil is only approved for hair regrowth on the head, not hair loss maintenance. (00:01:46)

4. Claim (2002): Celecoxib (Celebrex) is safer than Rofecoxib (Vioxx). (00:04:52)

5. Claim (2005): Darvocet will be taken off the market. (00:07:45)

6. Claim (2006): Benzoyl peroxide causes cancer. (00:09:49)

7. Claim (2014): GLP-1 agonists (Byetta, etc.) are a good choice for weight loss in patients WITHOUT diabetes. (00:13:14)

8. Summary (00:15:58)

9. Audience Question (00:16:56)

10. A few more things... (00:18:13)

11. Addendum (00:20:06)