Rally With Sally Field and Boniva
Filed under: Osteoporosis
Sally Field has joined with Boniva to get the word out about osteoporosis. She was diagnosed last year. The campaign is called Rally with Sally for Bone Health.
"Through a website and a toll-free number, the project is asking at-risk women to join Field in a signed pledge to improve their bone health. The pledge involves five steps: taking sufficient calcium and vitamin D, choosing and maintaining an osteoporosis drug regimen, exercising regularly, visiting a physician regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol." (medicinenet.com)
I have seen her commercial on TV countless times, so I went to the website to check out the campaign and came away with some serious concerns. There on the homepage is indeed a request for patients to pledge or promise to do the above five things. I find little problem with promising to do 4 of them, but find it very offensive that they would ask patients to PROMISE to take an osteoporosis medication....right next to "click here" to find out more about Boniva. What a great thing for a drug company. Let's get women to promise to take their medication..... and hope they pick Boniva of course. (When you sign up they send you Boniva information.)
Sally Field has chosen to take Boniva. Although I am not a fan of bisphosphonate drugs in light of the recent lawsuits and revelations about jaw necrosis, I think it's great that she is drawing attention to osteoporosis. But teaming up with a drug company and asking people to sign a pledge and promise like little children to take a drug seems to me to be inappropriate and quite scary.
By the way, Roche, the manufacturer of Boniva, lists side effects on the site under Patient Information, but possible jaw necrosis is NOT listed. They just say there may be other possible side effects and you should consult your health care professional.
Related Entry: Sally Field, Boniva, and Media Ethics
Posted by laura on June 15, 2006 7:10 PM
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Get a copy of The Myth of Osteoporosis by Gillian Sanson. It might help you decide what to do. Lots of information.
I went to that website and I agree with you. I don't think Sally should have lent her name to this campaign. Just smacks as a little sleazy. A little too cozy with the drug company and demeaning to women.
Read this site and you'll know what this drug can do to people. Ask A Patient Class action time ?
What should one do. I cannot take estrogen. And I do not want to take bisphosphonates.
I still want to know if Joan Rivers would please share her method. I know it might not work for everyone but it might be worth a try.
thank you, carol
someone please respond