My Custom Content Portfolio

Hats Promo

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Hats Galore at The Carmel Hat Company!

 

Attention hat lovers! Tired of wearing the same boring hats over and over again? Come to our unique hat shop and spice up your headgear game!

 

We've got hats for every occasion - whether you're going to a fancy wedding, a casual day out with friends, or just need to hide a bad hair day.

 

And with our huge variety of styles, colors, and materials, you'll never run out of options!

 

Not sure what hat suits you? Don't worry, our expert hatologists (yes, that's a real job) are here to help you find the perfect hat to match your

personality and style. From fedoras to top hats, beanies to berets, we've got you covered.

 

But wait, there's more! For a limited time only, we're offering a free "hat makeover" with every purchase. Our team of hat stylists will give your old hat a new look, making it look like you just stepped off the runway (or at least, like you put in some effort).

 

So come on down to The Carmel Hat Company and treat yourself (and your head) to a one-of-a-kind experience. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite hat (and we won't tell your old hats). Visit us at (https://www.instagram.com/thecarmelhatcompany/?hl=en)  - Doud Arcade, Ocean Ave #104, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

#2 of 2.

It's Hat Logic at The Carmel Hat Company!

 

Introducing the newest accessory craze that's sweeping the nation: Hats! That's right, folks, hats are back and better than ever. Don't let your head go bare, give

it the flair It deserves, a stylish hat from our collection.

 

Our hats are not your average headwear, oh no. They're the perfect solution for bad hair days, sunny days, and days when you just want to look like a million bucks. With a wide variety of styles and colors, you can find a hat that matches any outfit or mood.

 

Are you feeling sporty? Check out our baseball caps. Want to add a touch of elegance to your ensemble? Our fedoras are perfect for that. Looking for something quirky and fun? Our animal-themed hats will have you grinning from ear to ear.

 

But that's not all! Our hats are made from high-quality materials that will last you for years to come. They're also easy to care for and maintain, so you can wear them again and again without worrying about wear and tear.

 

So, don't delay! Get your head in the game. Drop by The Carmel Hat Company today. Visit us at (https://www.instagram.com/thecarmelhatcompany/?hl=enand get your hat fix. Trust us, your head will thank you for it. Find us at >>> Doud Arcade, Ocean Ave #104, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

#1 of 1.

Yacht Club Promotion

 

Welcome to the Elkhorn Yacht Club where the only thing higher than the tide is our spirits! Nestled on the stunning shores of Monterey Bay, our yacht club is more than just a place to park your boat – it's a nautical haven where sea meets camaraderie with a splash of Picture this: the Elkhorn Yacht Club boasts a Clubhouse bar that's the only place where the term "bar exam" is associated with checking if your drinkis seaworthy. Our waterfront patio is so close to the water, you might mistake it for an exclusive VIP section reserved for dolphins and seagulls.

 

Our garden courtyard is a green oasis, perfect for sipping a mojito and contemplating the deep philosophical questions like, "Why don't sailboats get seasick?" Inside, our hearth room is where we gather to share tales of the high seas or argue about whether a pirate's favorite letter is really "Arrr" or if they're just partial to the "C."

 

The dining hall is not just for indulging in gourmet delights; it's where culinary adventures set sail from our industrial kitchen, crafting dishes that make even the sea creatures jealous. And guess what? You don't have to own a boat to join our crew! We're more interested in the size of your smile than the length of your yacht.

 

Our members thrive on the trifecta of boating, sailing, and waterfront activities – or as we like to call it, the "Three Sheets to the Wind" challenge. It's a relaxed, informal, and comfortable atmosphere where the only storm you'll find is in a cocktail glass.

 

Situated equidistant between Monterey and Santa Cruz off CA Highway 1, our location is so convenient even the sea lions give us two flippers up. We're not just a club; we're a family-friendly community that's all about forging friendships as strong as an anchor chain.

 

Whether you're into courses, races, or just plain old sailing, relaxing, and watching the sea otters put on their daily water ballet, The Elkhorn Yacht Club is the place to be. So, come aboard, because life's better when you're at sea, even if it's just sipping a mocktail and pretending.

 

Your lounge chair is a luxury yacht.

 

So, don your finest sailor's cap, leave your worries at the shore, and join us at the Elkhorn Yacht Club, where the only thing we take seriously is having a seriously good time on the high seas! Here is where to find us >>> Address: 2370 Hwy 1, Moss Landing, CA 95039 - Email: eyc@elkhornyachtclub.org

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

#1 of 1.

Seafood Restaurant Promotions

🌊🍽️ Dive into a Seafood Extravaganza at Flaherty's Seafood Gril & Oyster Bar! 🌊🍽️

 

Are you ready to embark on a journey through the depths of flavor and fun? At Flaherty's Seafood Gril & Oyster Bar we're not just about seafood, but we are seafood aficionados!

 

We are practically fish-whisperers, and we've been practicing seafood sustainability for over 40 years. So, when you visit us, you're in for a reel treat!

 

Our menu is like a treasure chest full of oceanic delights, and we've got something to satisfy every seafood craving you could imagine. From the shellebrated oysters to the slip-slidin' calamari, we've got the whole seafood shebang. Our menu is so extensive; you'll need a seafood map just to navigate it!  And that's because we're committed to offering you the freshest, most delectable seafood dishes that will make your taste buds do the tango.

 

🦪 Fancy some oysters that will have you shuckin' with joy? We've got 'em!

 

🦐 Prawns so succulent they practically prance onto your plate!

 

🦀 Crabs that are the life of the seafood party!

 

🎣 Ahi Tuna so fresh, it practically leaps onto your fork!

 

🍣 Salmon that'll swim right into your heart!

 

🦞 Lobster worth its weight in gold!

 

🐟 A Chef's Choice Selection that will surprise and delight you with every bite!

 

🍤 Shrimply irresistible shrimp dishes!

 

🍝 Seafood Pasta and Seafood Paella that will have you saying "pasta la vista" to ordinary meals!

 

🍟 Fish and Chips that'll make you want to dip, dunk, and devour!

 

🥘 Jambalaya that's a flavorful jumble of seafood, chicken, and sausage!

 

🌱 And for landlubbers, we've got chicken, prime New York steak, and mouth watering vegetarian dishes too!

 

At Flaherty's Seafood Gril & Oyster Bar! We take seafood seriously, but we serve it with a side of humor and hospitality. So, what are

you waiting for? Come on over and let us show you how "fin"-tastic dining can be.

 

Whether you're a seafood connoisseur or just someone who loves a good laugh with your meal, we've got the perfect catch for you.

 

So, dive in and discover the treasure trove of flavors waiting for you at our seafood grill and oyster bar! 🌟🐟🍴Come join us. We are at 

located on 6th Ave, between San Carlos and Dolores, in beautiful Carmel by-the-sea, California.

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

Sockshop Promos

#1 of 2.

Introducing the Ultimate Sock-Stravaganza at Sockology!

 

Step right up, sock lovers and aficionados! It's time to let your feet do the talking and strut your stuff in style. Our sock emporium is rolling out the red carpet for the most epic sock celebration ever!

 

Sockology Spectacle: From stripes that hypnotize to polka dots that pop, our sock selection is a kaleidoscope of color and pattern perfection. Walk this way for a wardrobe revolution!

 

Toe-tally Unique: Who said socks have to be dull? We've got styles that make a statement, from daring dinosaurs to sassy sushi rolls. Your feet deserve to be a canvas of creativity!

 

Size for Every Sole: Whether you've got dainty duchess feet or bigfoot vibes, our range spans from petite to prodigious. Nobody gets left out of the sock party! Sock Surprise-o-matic: Want to up the ante on your sock game? Introducing our Mystery Sock Box! Unwrap the excitement and let fate decide which fabulous pair will grace your feet today.

 

Sock Selfie Corner: Snap, tag, and strut your sock style in our designated selfie zone. Share your sock-tastic looks on social media for a chance to win a sock-shopping spree!

 

Sock-It-to-Me Rewards: Join our loyalty program and let the sock savings roll in! Earn points with every purchase and turn your sock obsession into a sockcession of discounts and goodies.

 

Sock-a-lution Workshop: Ever wanted to design your own sock? Now's your chance! Join our sock customization workshop and let your imagination run wild. Your feet, your rules!

 

Grand Sock Gala: Cap off the festivities with an exclusive soirée, where the best-dressed feet can win prizes, enjoy live music, and revel in the socky splendor!

 

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the unsung heroes of fashion. Join us at the Sock-stravaganza and let's paint the town footloose and fancy socked!

 

Visit us online, at Sockology.com.

 

The sock party starts now! #Sockstravaganza #SockSensation #FootsieFiesta.

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

#2 of 2.

Get Ready to Sock'n Roll!

 

Hey Sock Stars and Sole Sisters! It's time to put your best foot forward and step into the quirkiest, comfiest, and coolest sock shop in town! At the Sockshop, we believe socks are more than just foot covers - they're a canvas for self-expression!

 

Sock It to Me, Baby!: From flamingos that flamenco to tacos that tango, our sock selection is a dance party waiting to happen. Slide into a world of wacky, wonderful, and wow-worthy designs!

 

Surprise, Surprise!: Feeling a bit spontaneous? Our Mystery Sock Bundles are here to keep you on your toes! Unwrap a delightful surprise and let the sock magic unfold!

 

Shoe-in for Style: But wait, there's more! We've got fabulous footwear that's as comfortable as a cloud and stylish as a supermodel. Slip into our shoes and strut your stuff!

 

Socks for Every Mood: Whether you're feeling fierce, funky, or fabulously floral, we've got a pair to match your vibe. After all, who said socks can't have a personality of their own?

 

Sock-tastic Selfies: Strike a pose in our Instagram-worthy sock corner! Snap, share, and tag us for a chance to win the title of Sock Superstar and a shopping spree fit for a fashionista!

 

Loyalty that Rocks: Join our Sock Squad and be part of the coolest crew in town. Earn points with every purchase, and let the sock savings rain down like confetti!

 

Footloose Fiesta: Save the date for our grand sock soirée! Live music, exclusive discounts, and a sock fashion show that'll knock your socks off. It's a party you won't want to miss!

 

And remember, at the Sockshop, we believe that the right socks can turn any day into a special occasion. So come on down, shimmy into some sensational socks, and let's paint the town toe-tally fabulous!

 

Visit us downtown at the Sockshop. You can also hop online to our Website (https://www.sockshop.com/). Let's get this sock party started! 

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

 

#1 of 1.

The Santa Cruz Hostel is Where It's At!

 

Looking for a place to stay where the sun always shines, the waves are always crashing, and the good vibes are always flowing?

 

A place where you can meet new friends from all over the world, Come visit us at the Santa Cruz Hostel, and enjoy our warm and

welcoming atmosphere.

 

Picture this: You, lounging on the beach, toes tickled by golden sands, and waves serenading you with their rhythmic lullaby. You may

be watching surfers catching a wave, or considering diving into the ocean yourself. You're not just a traveler now, you have become

localized!

 

And speaking of the weather, Mother Nature herself dons her best in our neck of the woods. Sunshine galore, gentle sea breezes, and

sunsets that paint the sky with hues to rival Picasso!

 

Join our explorers' guild! From hidden coves to bustling markets, our guided tours unveil the secrets of each locale. Feel the pulse of the

city, and with every step, you'll transform into an honorary local! Enjoy Pub/Bar Crawls, visit our beautiful Redwood Forests, pick a beach

to visit, and don't forget the Boardwalk!

 

Hungry? Fear not, maestro chefs and culinary wizards unite at our legendary potlucks and cooking extravaganzas. Swap recipes, share

secret ingredients, and let taste buds embark on a world tour! You will also find some great local eateries that can satisfy any palate.

 

They say home is where the heart is, but here, it's where you become a part of something bigger.The Beach Front Hostel isn't just a place

to rest; it's a place to meet new people, have a blast, and maybe even learn a thing or two?

 

Here are a few more tidbits to wet your whistle for the Santa Cruz Hostel.

 

Near sand, sea, and surf.

 

We are just 2 blocks from the beach and boardwalk, and in walking distance to the city center.

 

Learn about local culture and history (Our Hostel is Historic)!

 

Get insider tips on the best places to go and things to do

 

Annual Beach Bash

 

Potlucks

 

Fun!

 

So, whether you're a solo backpacker, a couple on a budget, or a group of friends looking for a good time, come visit us at  >>>The Santa Cruz Hostel, and we will accommodate you. You will find us right neat the beach at 321 Main Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Email us at info@santacruzhostel.org.

 

 

©2023 By Don Lucky

Construction

#1 of 2.

Up on the Roof

 

Ever gazed at your building and thought, "What's missing up there?" Enter RoofScreen – where we don't just cover roofs; we elevate them to

a whole new level! If you haven't considered a roof screen, you're missing out on the sky-high possibilities we bring to

the table.

 

Who Are We? RoofScreen – More Than Meets the Eye!

 

As our name suggests, we're not just a screen; we're architectural visionaries crafting protective masterpieces for buildings of all shapes and sizes. You may have unknowingly admired our work on office buildings, retail spaces, food havens, hospitals, educational institutions, and government facilities.

 

We're not your ordinary screen enthusiasts; we offer a repertoire of protective products that go beyond the basics. From Standard Frames to

Heavy-Duty Frames, Wall-Mount Frames to SoundGuard Acoustical Panels, we've got the perfect solution for every architectural challenge.

 

Let the Sun Shine In: Our Solar Racking solutions bring a touch of eco-friendliness to your rooftop. Because why just have a roof when it could

be a power source too?

 

Connect with Us – We're Not Just Screen Builders; We're Relationship Architects!

 

Explore the heights of innovation on our website at [roofscreen.com]. It's not just a website; it's a treasure trove of information and videos that will take you on a rooftop journey like never before.

 

But wait, there's more! At RoofScreen, we believe it's not just about screens; it's about you and your unique needs.

 

Our mission is to accommodate you with excellent customer service, all delivered with a smile and an unparalleled attention to detail. Our track record speaks volumes – just ask Apple, Google, Tesla, UPS, Merck, Wendy's, WalMart, Wells Fargo, Verizon, and the many others we've had the pleasure of working with.

 

Ready to Elevate Your Rooftop Experience? Contact Us at (roofscreen.com). You can also find us at 47 Coral St bldg a, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

 

Let's turn your rooftop into a canvas of possibilities! Reach out for a free consultation, a dash of creative design, and a quote that'll make your project soar to new heights. Because at RoofScreen, we don't just build screens; we build experiences.

 

Your rooftop's potential is limitless – let's unlock it together!

 

At RoofScreen, we don't just build structures; we build relationships. Our commitment to excellent customer service is as solid as our foundations. From the first bolt to the final inspection, we've got your back.

 

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© 2024 By Don Lucky

 

#2 0f 2.

 

🔨 Discover the Elite Difference: Unveiling Excellence in Every Facet of Construction! 🔨

 

Looking to embark on a construction journey that's seamless, stress-free, and exceeds expectations? Look no further! At Discover Elite, we're not just a construction company; we are the epitome of innovation, craftsmanship, and unmatched customer service. Here's why you should make us your ultimate choice for all your construction needs:

 

Elite Construction: Elevating Dreams into Reality 🏡 Home Sweet Elite Home: Imagine a home that reflects your unique taste and lifestyle. At Elite Construction, we specialize in turning your dreams into tangible masterpieces. Our expert team takes care of everything, from the initial design plans to permits and inspections. We are committed to delivering beautiful, high-quality kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, and additions, all backed by our Elite guarantee. Explore the possibilities at www.DiscoverElite.com and claim your free consultation today.

 

Santa Cruz Cabinets: Where Quality Meets Innovation 🪚 Crafting Elegance, One Cabinet at a Time: Introducing Santa Cruz Cabinets, your go-to source for high-quality custom cabinets, countertops, and renovations. Whether you're a homeowner with a vision or a contractor seeking excellence, we're here for you. With our Flat Fee Design service and a diverse range of designs to fit any style and budget, we make the process seamless. Visit www.SantaCruzCabinets.com for inspiration and reach out for your free consultation.

 

We also offer competitive wholesale pricing for DIY homeowners and independent contractors. Quality meets affordability at Santa Cruz Cabinets!

 

Elite Accessory Dwelling Units: Affordable Living, Elevated Spaces 🏡🏡 Expand Your Horizon with Elite ADU: Affordable housing is no longer a distant dream, thanks to Elite ADU! With California's new laws making it easier to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit, we're your trusted partner in this exciting journey. Explore our free online evaluation at www.EliteADU.com to understand the process better. From design and blueprints to permits, inspections, and construction, we handle it all. Our streamlined techniques reduce building time and disturbance, ensuring your ADU becomes a reality without hassle.

 

At Discover Elite, we redefine construction by being not one, but three exceptional companies under one umbrella. Your satisfaction is our priority, and our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and customer service sets us apart. Discover the Elite difference – where excellence meets construction! Contact us today for a consultation and let's build your dreams together. 🏠✨   

 

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©2023 By Don Lucky   

 

Guest Blog: Better Business Bureau, San Diego, CA. 

Auto detailing can keep you out of the hospital and on the go

By Don Lucky

©2013 

 

 

It’s amazing how often people take for granted the cleanliness of their automobiles. Did you know that your car could be a health hazard?

Germs and bacteria lurk there, just like in your home; but it is just simply too often taken for granted. And the problem is compounded by the fact that though both kids and pets can be affected by the germs and bacteria, they can also be responsible for spreading them. Interior auto detailing is important because of the bits and pieces of food, food wrappers and empty drink containers left behind. A report done last year at Queen Mary University in London found that 42 percent of people dine while driving.

 

The research also reported that nine times more germs could be found on the steering wheel of your car than on a public toilet seat. How does that grab you? And what about some 700 bugs that can be harmful and which inhabit the interior of your automobile. This is a wakeup call.

 

Keeping the interior of your car vacuumed and the panels and door seals wiped down is important to maintaining its cleanliness as well as its value. It will also contributet to keeping you healthy. Keep your dash and console clean and check your air vents. Check your windows and your mirrors for good vision and wipe down your visors, which can accumulate a lot of dust; doing these things on a regular basis can greatly contribute to better health and safety practices. In San Diego, interior detail is often neglected because of the attention to the maintenance of the exterior of the automobile. But the two should go hand-in-hand. Dr Ron Cutler is the director of biomedical science at Queen Mary University and he says 'A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out.'

 

Keeping the interior of your car clean makes a lot of sense and is especially important if you have children or pets. Check on conditioners and fabric protectants. Talk to a good auto detailer that will come to your home. It’s not just about health; it is also about maintaining the value of your automobile. When you think about it, you realize that this is something that might call for a bit more attention. People spend a lot of time in their cars. That’s why it’s wise to keep them clean, comfortable, and fresh. Interior detailing, as needed, will contribute to that.

 

Article courtesy of Joe Seals, owner of So-Cal Mobile Auto Detail, SoCal Oil Star and So-Cal Auto Spa.  For more information, visit their website at thesocalway.com.

 

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On The Street Where You'll Live: 655 Columbia Place, Unit 101, San Diego, CA   

By Don Lucky

                                                             

As you sit on your balcony patio looking across at the greenery of Pantoja Park and the surrounding city skyline, you ponder the activities you have planned for the day and realize you’ve got everything you need right where you need it. This is home-away-from-home comfort you can really appreciate; located in the appealing marina neighborhood

of beautiful San Diego. 

 

You have a corner perch that is drenched in sunshine and light. When you step into this condo’s comfort zone you will immediately be taken by its charm and feel of privacy. And it can easily accommodate two couples or a small family. If you’re looking for getaway convenience, look no further than 655 Columbia Place, Unit 101.

 

Some of the inner features of this condo include

 

A cozy living room / dining area adorned with a couch, twin accent chairs and small table which sits near the balcony, a deep brown wood dining table which includes 4 black leather draped chairs.

 

Two bedrooms / two baths with queen size Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Both bedrooms have large windows and comfortable beds. The first bedroom has a deep dark chocolate chest of drawers and large mirror, along with large windows with bright outside views. The rear bedroom has a fabric headboard backed by a wall covered in ------------- fabric,

as well.
 

The bathrooms: The front bathroom has a single sink, rounded glass shower, large black wood framed mirror over a single sink and a long narrow dressing mirror. The rear bathroom includes wall tiles around the bathtub, dual sinks, and a large mirror coupled with a smaller side mirror. Behind this bathroom there is a large walk-in closet and *optional nook for study, reading or meditation. This space is adorned with small chandeliers and ............ provides an excellent retreat for some quiet time.
 

A fully equipped kitchen includes a large white and brown rectangular kitchen counter fronted by 2 ----------------- stools, a large refrigerator and stove, with a built-in microwave oven, a Kuerig coffee maker which offers you a variety of coffee choices, a 14 speed Oster juicer, and a large wood block of cooking knives for preparing in-house meals. There is even a trash compactor.

 

Washer / Dryer nook. No need to go out to wash.

 

Hard wood floors

 

Three LED flat screen TV’s (living room has 65' flat screen)
 

300 channels of AT&T U-verse cable (HD)

 

Your own high speed Wi-Fi network

 

Central Air/Heating

 

Some of the benefits of this lovely condo include

 

Location, location, location. It’s centrally located and lovely; from here you can get anywhere quickly on foot, by public transport, or by car. The location is ideal too, because

you are close to everything. And let’s face it; there is a lot to see. 

 

Food: you can just as easily eat in, as out.

 

Want to take a cruise? You are within walking distance of the embarcadero.

 

There is a gym here, so you can keep in shape.

 

A pleasant, quiet neighborhood

 

A great condo with everything you need included.

 

You can enjoy the beauty of an outdoor courtyard that glows in natural light

 

You can nourish your body and health with the warmth of a Jacuzzi

 

Wash your clothes when you like in the privacy of your condo

 

A small quiet retreat within your condo to utilize as you wish: read, meditate or take notes. 

 

Some of these places might be on your list of things to visit; they are easily accessible. 

 

Downtown and the Gaslamp district – 4 blocks 

Seaport Village - 4 blocks

Embarcadero and cruise ships - 2 blocks

Convention Center - 4 blocks

Ralphs Supermarket - 3 blocks

Balboa Park - short trolley ride

Beaches - a 10 minute drive

SeaWorld - a 10 minute drive

San Diego Zoo - short trolley ride 

Horton Plaza shopping Center - 4 blocks 

Petco park (home of the Padres) 4 blocks 

 

This is a place with understated cozy charm that is impressive, delightful and well positioned. The condo sits in a corner cove within a palazzo or palace, if you will, that offers the type of privacy a hotel simply can’t match. You are surrounded outside by a large, expanded courtyard created with post-modern architectural blends, flowing fountains and an abundance of light. 

 

But it gets better! 

 

There is a gym for your daily use so that you can keep those muscles primed as you venture around the city. You’ll appreciate the Jacuzzi spa, following those sightseeing jaunts from the embarcadero to Balboa Park. And when you want to relax outside and have a meal, there is a barbeque grill and lounging area for your convenience. If you’re driving, you won’t have to worry about a place to park your vehicle. That’s because a private parking space is reserved for you in the underground garage. When you go shopping, you won’t have to worry about hauling your load upstairs, either. There is, of course, an elevator, but you’ll also have the convenience of shopping carts located in the garage, should you need them.  

 

This is affordable comfort with no disguised extras. It’s all-inclusive and it is available when you plan to spend some time in our wonderful city. So, when you’re ready for a weekend getaway, family pleasure excursion or business trip, think of 655 Columbia Place, Unit 101. When you leave this place you will feel more relaxed and revitalized. A trip away from home shouldn’t stress you out. That’s why we bring home to you, with all of the accompanying extras, and at a cost you can afford.

 

If you’re planning a trip to San Diego, please take time to investigate this charming condo and its attractive surroundings. You’ll be pleased to discover delights on and near the street where you’ll live.

 

© 2013 By Don Lucky

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Marketing Communications: Channah Thailand

 

By Don Lucky

© 2007 

 

 

You sit on your veranda, and look past the gardener, 

  

who is busily pruning the coconut, tamarind, mango,

 

pomello, foxtail palm, and papaya trees, along with

 

the plumeria (frangipani) flowers, which are set amidst

 

the grounds of this luscious 6 acre landscape which

 

borders the stunning River Kwai. The river is green, the sky is

 

blue and sparkles with sunlight.

 

You smile as you contemplate breakfast and your freshly

 

squeezed juice which awaits, down by the river. 

 

You feel more relaxed than you have been in a long time, 

 

as you reflect upon the beauty, the peace, the privacy, the

 

paradise. You're pleased that you are here and look forward

 

to the day's restorative activities...

 

This could easily be a heavenly 5 star resort. But it's not.

 

It's Channah Thailand, a secluded rehabilitation clinic for

 

alcohol and drug abusers. And the guy mentioned above,

is purely hypothetical.

  

 

Dear,

 

Alcohol and drug abuse is a major problem in the workplace today.

 

Just a few years ago, KPMG, the international auditing firm, did a

study for the Netherlands Institute for Health Promotion and

Disease Prevention (NIGZ), and the Dutch Association for Mental

Health (GGZ Nederland). The study found that in the Netherlands,

the costs relating to productivity lost due to illness, absenteeism

and poorer performance, was 241 million euros. The costs of

productivity lost due to unemployment and inability to work, amounted

to 985 million euros. The costs of social security payments added

another 328 million euros. That came to a total of 1,554 million euros.

 

You could say that contributes to a lot of "blue Mondays," and has

an obvious compounding negative affect on family, friends and

colleagues, who can all  be put under tremendous stress when

dealing with a person who has a substance abuse problem.   

 

At some point, someone - a family member, friend or colleague - is

forced to take proactive action to help the suffering abuser.        

Otherwise, he/she will slip into a state of depression and moral

decline, which just makes it more difficult and time consuming to

rectify the problem.

 

But, of course, at the end of the day, it is the sick person themselves,

that have to make the decision to sort their life out and take personal

responsibility for their own problems. We all wish to demonstrate

empathy and concern, but unless and until such time as that sick person

takes the definitive step to seek help, he/she will continue to suffer.

 

Channah Thailand offers a unique Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

program that is like none other in the world. 

 

The Channah Thailand program is individually tailored to the clients

needs and helps he/she change how they think (cognitive) and change

what they do (behavioral). It's a solution based program that's focused

on having the client make desired changes, now.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

 

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for alcohol and drug abuse 

as well as conditions relating to anxiety, anger or depression and post

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive therapy is based on the

proposition that much psychopathology is the result of systematic

errors, biases, and distortions in perceiving and interpreting events. 

These cognitive factors are seen as resulting in dysfunctional responses

to events which, in turn, may have consequences which serve to

perpetuate the dysfunctional cognitions.

 

In Cognitive Therapy we try to work with the client to help them to look

critically at their perceptions and beliefs and help them to identify and

modify the perceptions and beliefs which contribute to their problems.

We also focus on much more than just cognition. It is often important

to help clients master the skills they need to cope with problematic

situations, to help them cope with intense emotions, and to help them

change (or leave) dysfunctional relationships (D. Meichenbaum).

  

Channah Thailand's Core Program

 

At Channah Thailand we don't believe it’s necessary for a client to be away from

family and work for 12 weeks in rehab for alcohol or drug abuse. We do believe

alcohol and drug abuse is curable, and has so been proved. Our core program takes

28 days to complete, and this is the recommended minimum; though other program

schedules are available for shorter or longer periods. Channah Thailand offers a CBT

program that is individually tailored to the client's needs. It is an intensive

course, blending individual and group CBT therapy with a range of physical fitness

and relaxation sessions. Clients receive 21 hours of individual and group therapy

sessions weekly, including 3 sessions of one-to-one therapy and relapse prevention.

But that's just for starters. Here's more of the program in a nutshell. And, by the way,

the program includes 12 weeks of one-to-one aftercare near your home  or workplace.

 

Before a client begins the program he/she is given a full physical and medical exam.

A personal training program is then individually designed for the client.

 

 Unique, intensive CBT program

 3 one to one sessions weekly

 Intensive CBT program (12 hours weekly)

 21 hours of therapeutic sessions weekly

 Thinking Cap relapse awareness program

 Auricular acupuncture available

 3 one-to-one personal training sessions weekly

 Body Renew and 2x2hr Thai massages weekly

 24 hour on-call English speaking doctor

 12 weeks of one-to-one aftercare included

 Detoxification supported

 Programs from 1 to 8 weeks available

 Discretion guaranteed

 An escorted day trip every Sunday to explore the area

 No visa required

 All inclusive, no extra costs

  

The Cost

 

The cost for 28 days is 7,995 GBP - that’s 10,165 Euros at current

rates. A 2 week program costs 4,500 GBP - 5,731 Euros.

The prices are all-inclusive, there are no extra costs.

Clients are responsible for their own airfare.  

 

You'll find our services are competitively priced and substantially    

less than some rehabilitation clinics and certainly much more private

and discreet.   

 

The client is assigned his/her own private bungalow which is set 

amongst the nearly 6 acres of landscaped gardens. Within the residence 

you'll find a large en-suite shower room, TV, DVD, WiFi, air conditioning

and refrigerator. Most of the bungalows have a large private veranda. 

The client has complete privacy. There are no shared rooms.

 

For the client's relaxation and pleasure, there is a 25m free form swimming pool

with Jacuzzi; a fully equipped air conditioned gym; a home theater showing

free films every night; and numerous other recreational utilities.

  

Food is usually served outdoors, with seating by the river. The meals are

prepared daily by CT's internationally trained chef, with an emphasis on

fresh local produce, some from our own garden. The emphasis is on healthy 

eating and accommodating your personal dietary needs.

 

Channah Thailand is a unique one-of-a-kind clinic, which is placed in an

beautiful and private resort setting. A visit here is more akin to a working

holiday, from 1-8 weeks, while undergoing a rehabilitation program that's

personal, private, and progressive.

 

Simon Gunn, the British director of Channah Thailand, is a Solution Focused

Therapist. He and his English staff of professional therapists and Thai support

personnel, achieve results, and maintain a 90% course completion rate.

 

For those who are ready and willing to take the leap to seeking a solution - one

that can not only make a difference in their life - but because of behavioral

changes - a difference in their lifestyle as well - CT can help. 

 

Thanks for taking time out to learn about Channah Thailand.

 

And, Oh, by the way, that hypothetical fellow I mentioned earlier, might he be someone you know?

If so, or ifyou know of someone who can benefit from our comprehensive program or, who would like

more information, please contact me or call the clinic direct in Thailand, at: 66 86881 0908. 

 

© 2007 By Don Lucky

_________________________________________________________ 

 

Real Estate: A Change is Gonna Come: Utilize Facts and Features Worksheets and a Home Condition Report

 

By Don Lucky

 

The recent agreements on changes to real estate commissions have brought increased focus on transparency and information sharing during the home buying process. The Home Information Pack (HIP), consisting of the buyer's Facts and Features Worksheets (FFW) and the seller's Home Condition Report (HCR), plays a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding between buyers and sellers.

 

The FFW serves as the buyer's personal guideline for assessing a property's characteristics, features, and overall suitability. It allows buyers to document their specific needs, preferences, and evaluation criteria. Conversely, the HCR is the seller's comprehensive disclosure of the property's current condition, including any known defects, repairs needed, or relevant historical information.

 

By leveraging the FFW and HCR in tandem, buyers and sellers can engage in open and informed negotiations, aligning expectations and facilitating a smoother transaction process. The FFW empowers buyers to thoroughly evaluate the property against their unique requirements, while the HCR ensures sellers fulfill their obligation to disclose material facts about the home's condition.

 

In the wake of commission changes, the HIP becomes even more valuable as a tool for promoting transparency, managing expectations, and reducing potential misunderstandings or disputes. Both parties can reference these documents to identify and address any discrepancies, negotiate necessary repairs or adjustments, and ultimately work towards a mutually agreeable sale.

 

Effective utilization of the HIP, with buyers diligently maintaining their FFW and sellers providing accurate and comprehensive HCRs, can foster trust, minimize stress, and facilitate good-faith negotiations. Ultimately, the HIP supports the shared goal of buyers and sellers – reaching a satisfactory agreement while maintaining a positive and productive real estate experience.

 

© 2024 By Don Lucky

________________________________________________

 

Legal Blog: Legal support  For first time DUI / DWI offenses in Henrico County, Virginia  

 

By Don Lucky

 

The pain and frustration of suffering a  DUI/D WI offense can be humiliating. However, 

you are not alone. In Henrico County there are competent  attorneys  who can 

represent you, protect your rights and guide you safely through the  legal  process. 

When someone has been arrested for driving under the influence they are often 

confused and very concerned about how they can remedy the situation. This is where

 a good lawyer can come in handy. But not just any lawyer. You need one that is 

specialized in this area of the law and who understands all aspects of how the 

system works. Keeping clients abreast of the circumstances involved can also help 

you to realize what’s at stake and what your options are. Quite often, first time 

offenders can expect such penalties as: 
 

License suspension

Probation

Alcohol counseling

Possible jail time

Fine

 

You should also be conscious of what could happen to your insurance premium, 

which will unlikely be on the rise.
 

But, through all of the misfortune and frustration, it is important for you to remember 

that you do have rights. And if you feel that you have been improperly or wrongfully 

charged or arrested, you can assert those rights. Our job is to execute a defense, 

stand by your side and affirm your innocence.     

 

Henrico County is the home of the Richmond International Raceway and NASCAR, as well 

as many battle sites from the American Civil War, like  Malvern Hill and   Seven Pines.  There 

are even self-guided driving tours where you can track the footsteps of the troops as part of 

the  Virginia Civil War Trails  program. This is an historic location where much of our national 

history has been made. It is also the home of lawyers who will defend your interests with 

respect and professionalism. Attorneys, who will assess your case, address your concerns 

and provide you with the best possible options for your particular situation. 

 

You may have some specific questions about what to expect if you should find yourself in the 

grips of a  DUI /DWI arrest.  Our lawyers  are here to help. Let’s take a look at some of the 

common concerns. These also involve circumstances for younger people, under 21.

You can be arrested if you are 21 and above and your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 0.08%

If you are under 21 years of age the BAC is 0.02%

If you are driving with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) the BAC is 0.04%

In Virginia you can also be arrested for:

Buying alcohol for someone who is underage

Having an open container in the vehicle

Bringing or drinking alcohol on school property

There is a lot of talk these days about younger people under 21 years of age who attempt to 

possess, purchase and drink alcohol. The penalties can be stiff for these youngsters. They include:

 

One year license suspension following conviction. This could be longer if the person has  been given an  

administrative license suspension (ALS), which means that the driver’s license is taken at the scene of the arrest.

In some circumstances a restricted driver’s license may be assigned.

A $500 fine (minimum) or community service with a minimum of 50 hours.

A judge may also require the youngster to participate in an Alcohol Safety Action Program.

Quite often,  lawyers  of first time offenders who haven’t caused any physical harm, property damage

 or child neglect, are in a better position to mitigate the circumstances and expedite the process of a court ruling.

 

In Virginia, some penalties first offenders 21 and older can expect to receive include:  

 

·           License revocation for 1 year

·           Minimum $250 fine; maximum $300 fine. (These fines may be directly related to eligibility for the Alcohol Safety Action Program)

·           Possible restricted driver’s license

·           Administrative license suspension for 7 days

·           Possible Alcohol Safety Action Program

·           Court-ordered restitution (if any)

·           A Criminal Record

 

The stakes can be high for both young and older persons driving under the influence.  That’s why it’s good to be informed and to know

that you have access to qualified representation. As the saying goes, “it is not so much the problem, as how you deal with it.”

 

If you would like a free consultation, contact  Henrico County lawyers  who can make a difference in your defense.

 

© 2013 By Don Lucky

__________________________________________________________

 

 

Originally published in the Little Rock (Arkansas) Free Press, May 2004

 

Drop Dead! Deception, Fraud, Greed, and Mismanagement in America's Healthcare System

 

By Don Lucky

 

Are you insured or uninsured?

Are you receiving quality healthcare?

Do you have a good doctor - patient relationship?

What do you think about the state of American healthcare?

Are you aware of disparities in the American healthcare system?

Can you keep up with rising healthcare costs?

Do you understand Medicare and your benefits?

 

Did You Know?

That: Prescription drugs are the fourth largest killer of Americans after heart attacks, cancer, and strokes? This was reported in the Journal of the American Medical association back in April of 1998.

Yet Americans fill more prescriptions every year and the costs just keep rising. If drugs were candy doctors would surely be telling us too much is not good for you.

That: In October of last year the U.S. government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, found that 32,000 Americans die each year as a result of medical injuries in U.S. hospitals.

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported that 98,000 Americans die every year from errors occurring in hospitals, doctor's offices, outpatient clinics and elsewhere.

That: The Medicare and Medicaid government health insurance programs for the elderly, disabled and poor, are manipulated fraudulently on a daily basis?

The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) - a private-public nonprofit organization focused on improving the health sectors ability to investigate and prevent fraud against the nation's private and public insurance systems - says that "in 'institutional' cases involving such perpetrators as hospital chains, national laboratory companies, transportation, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, the totals in various federal and civil fraud cases of recent years have ranged from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. Several recent high-profile fraud cases involving hospital chains and pharmaceutical companies, for example, have resulted in criminal and/or civil settlements ranging from million to million."

And are you aware that legislative gridlock coupled with bickering and stalling within the federal government, is delaying much needed health care reform for the elderly; over 43 million uninsured people; and for an equitable national health care program for all Americans?

This is a report on a system in dire need of repair. It's a shipwrecked system not unlike a vessel that has lost its way, run aground and sending out an urgent SOS. It's a crisis situation which harks back to 1992 when health care was then the hotly debated issue that helped propel Bill Clinton into the White house.

But things have gotten worse since then. Health care reform has been left lingering like a pestering, throbbing, neglected wound that is now demanding immediate attention.

In February of 1993, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, then U.S. Surgeon General, said, "There's so much to do. The train's on the track and its coming towards us."

It's now eleven years later. Is anyone listening?

 

This report provides some background on troubling and unethical practices that plagueour health care system. Health care has become such a vast, costly, impersonal network with a host of access points. It has also become an increasingly big business generating billions of dollars in profits for service providers.

The players in this game include service providers such as the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, doctors, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and medical equipment device makers...

All have made occasional excursions into the realm of deception, fraud, greed and mismanagement. We'll take a look at some of those forays.

Obviously, lawmakers have a role to play. What's up with government and medicine? Read on.

The Bodacious Vigor of Big Pharma

The United States is the only industrialized country that doesn't regulate drug prices. As such, the pharmaceutical industry picks up half of its profits here. And as much as half of the drugs sales made in the United States, are purchased by the elderly according to some drugs makers.

What's more, America spends more money on prescription drugs - $149 billion up to February of this year than Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain combined, according to IMS Health, a research firm.

The pharmaceutical industry is the reservoir into which the bulk of health care profits flow. The drug-making lobby impacts every area of the health care system. Big pharma is like a giant octopus with suction cup tentacles reaching far and wide. It is America's richest and most successful industry.

But it's also a sick business, smarting from a litany of complaints.

Powerful Lobby

"The drug lobby has just emasculated congress with tons of money. They bought themselves a deal“ said representative Pete Stark of California, the senior democrat on the Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, whose republican members wrote the House Medicare bill.

The deal congressman Stark was referring to is the new Medicare health care drug benefit that was recently signed into law by president Bush. It approves the use of private health plans to administer the delivery of Medicare prescription drug benefits to Medicare recipients.

If insurance firms gain the right to dispense prescription drug benefits they will be able to negotiate the cost of medicines - for 40 million Medicare beneficiaries - with pharmaceutical companies. This could be done without the influence of Medicare, which presently requires that drugs be sold to the health plan at the lowest possible price.

A prescription drug benefit would help to curtail these high cost expenditures of the elderly. Health analysts suspect 40-50 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are burdened with paying the full costs of their prescription drugs. And it's expensive. Seniors are paying more than twice as much as favored customers - which include managed care plans, the Veterans Administration, and recipients of discounts received through Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Consumers Union reports that a month s supply of the anti-heartburn drug Prilosec costs around $115 for seniors, while customers with more economic clout pay $58. Medicare has never covered the costs of outpatient prescription drugs. These are costs related to medication administered in a doctor's office or hospital.

The pharmaceutical industry is pleased with the signing of the Medicare drug benefit bill. It's just what they've spent millions of dollars lobbying for - no government interference; no pressure to negotiate steep discounts; no price controls. Just the free-flow give and take of a competitive marketplace.

And what's at stake for the marketplace is $400 billion that Congress foresees taxpayers spending over the next 10 years on drugs. That's a lot of non-interference profit for drugs makers.

However, profit can be accompanied by pain, as big pharma knows all too well.

GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer, two large drug firms, agreed jointly last year to pay $345 million to settle allegations of defrauding Medicaid through excessive pricing for certain drugs.

Bayer was forced to stop selling its cholesterol drug "Baycol," in 2001. The drug has been linked to more than 100 deaths and a rare muscle disorder. Bayer was accused of deliberately avoiding the study of potential links between Baycol and the muscle disorder. Bayer says the drug was marketed properly and safe when properly used.

A US federal judge recently rejected class action litigation against Bayer over Baycol. The lawsuit gives Bayer the opportunity to deal individually with some 4000 cases the class action wanted to bring together.

In March of last year, Bayer's shares collapsed on stock market that it could face massive Baycol-related legal liabilities of more than $10 billion- even as much as $15 billion, it was speculated. It's now estimated that Bayer's financial exposure to Baycol related lawsuits might be under $2 billion.

Bayer has also warned that its insurance policies were insufficient to cover the liabilities that would arise if most of the legal action against it were successful.

In April of last year, Bayer agreed to pay $257 million to settle allegations that it had engaged in a scheme with Kaiser Permanente, a large health care provider, to relabel bottles of Cipro, an antibiotic, to hide the low prices it was charging Kaiser.

The latest word on the German pharmaceutical group is that it may consider breaking up its drug unit if it can't find a research partner. Lawsuits have cut deeply into profits. It has announced plans to sell its US-based blood plasma business (Bayer Biological Products), which makes treatments for immune deficiency and emphysema from proteins in blood plasma. And it now plans to spin off its chemicals unit. Bayer was once the second largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the world.

In June of last year AstraZeneca, a British drugs firm, agreed to pay the American government $355 million to settle federal charges which included giving free samples of its cancer drug, Zoladex, to American doctors. This in full knowledge of the fact these same doctors were billing Medicare for unwarranted reimbursement.

More telling is the unfortunate results behind another one of AstraZeneca's drugs, Iressa. This drug has been the cause of uproar in Japan, this year and last. AstraZeneca launched Iressa first in Japan, the world's second largest prescription drugs market after the U.S., with annual sales of $50 billion.

AstraZeneca had originally planned to introduce Iressa - its revolutionary cancer medicine that was initially being tested on patients with non-small cell lung cancer - simultaneously in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. But after winning fast-track approval in Japan, it decided to introduce the cancer medicine there first.

The biggest drug companies try to expand their reach by simultaneously launching new drugs around the world. And AstraZeneca had used Japanese patients in its global clinical trials for Iressa.

But within weeks of its release for sale in Japan, there were reports of deaths from a side-effect known as Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). The death toll continued to climb and has since passed 200. Last October, the Japanese Health Ministry issued a "Dear Doctor" advisory nationally warning of Iressa's potentially fatal side effects.

The FDA approved Iressa for use in the U.S. despite the fact the drug shrank tumors in just 10 percent of patients and has been linked to the deaths of more than 200 patients in Japan.

The Schering-Plough Corporation has been subject to a number of investigations and lawsuits. In May of last year prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office in Boston, were examining whether Schering-Plough illegally gave financial grants and other items of value to doctors and other customers; whether it marketed drugs for unapproved uses; and whether it submitted false pricing information to the government so that Medicaid paid too much for its products.

The charge that Schering-Plough may have been promoting its medicines for uses that the government has not approved is similar to charges raised against Warner-Lambert in a continuing investigation. In that case, the government is looking at whether Warner- Lambert illegally promoted an epilepsy drug called Neurontin for more than a dozen unapproved uses. (See Whistle Blowing Doctor, below)

Last year Schering-Plough agreed to pay a $500 million fine to the FDA for failing to meet the agency's quality standards. Manufacturing problems may have endangered some users of its allergy medicines and led U.S. regulators to freeze approval of the drug firm's new allergy drug, "Clarinen."

On the Rise

Health care fraud is on the rise in the U.S. The number of criminal convictions for healthcare fraud by companies and individuals rose 22 percent in 2002 amid a crackdown by federal authorities. A long awaited DOJ report is due out anytime now.

According to the department of Health and Human Services, there have been over 517 criminal convictions since September of 2002, up from 423 previously. In the following six months to the end of March 2003 there were 320 convictions, up from 250 in the same period a year previously.

The government is making some progress, with $1.4 billion returned to the Medicare Trust Fund in 2002 as part of the $1.8 billion worth of fraud and abuse settlements, judgments and penalties handled by the federal government.

The Cost

The National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association, a private-public nonprofit organization that represents private health payers and federal and state law enforcement agencies, estimates that 3% of America's annual health care outlay - budgeted at $1.4 trillion this year - is lost to "outright fraud."

That would come to $51 billion this year alone. But wait, estimates by government and law enforcement agencies say the loss could be as high as 10% of the annual expenditure. That would peg the fraudulent loss at an incredible $140 billion or more each year. How's it done?

Here are some of the most common types of fraud committed by healthcare service providers according to the NHCAA.

* Billing for services that were never rendered. Using genuine patient information to fabricate entire claims or, by padding claims with false charges for procedures or services that didn't take place. And these false billings can be spread among many insurers simultaneously - lessening their chances of being detected by any one insurer.

* Misrepresenting non-covered treatments as medically necessary covered treatments for purposes of obtaining insurance payment.

* Performing medically unnecessary services solely for the purpose of generating insurance payments.

* Physical risk to patients - this type of fraud scheme deliberately and callously place trusting patients at significant physical risk, which illustrates why federal law provides for longer potential prison terms in cases that result in a patient's injury or death.

The following are more pharmaceutical industry infractions, which prompted criminal convictions and investigations for deception, fraud and greed.

Whistle Blowing Doctor

Dr. David P. Franklin, a former employee of former Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical company, filed suit against the drug’s maker for what Dr. Franklin called in a New York Times interview "an illegal marketing scheme that put patients at risk."

A number of doctors received thousands of dollars each from Warner-Lambert for speaking to other physicians about how an epilepsy drug, "Neurontin," could be prescribed for numerous other medical conditions that had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The doctors, some of which were professors at universities, were recruited and paid large sums of money to sing praises about how well suited Neurontin was for uses other than it was intended, nor approved for by the FDA. One of the doctors speaking for Neurontin, Dr. B.J. Wilder, accepted over $300,000 for speeches he gave between 1994 and 1997, according to court documents. Six other doctors including some from top medical schools received more than $100,000.

Reports were written by some of the doctors explaining how well Neurontin worked for some of their patients. Other doctors were paid to write prescriptions for Neurontin upping the doses to unsafe and unapproved levels.

Federal and state governments paid out hundreds of millions of dollars for prescriptions of Neurontin given to Medicaid patients for a variety of conditions, which included pain, bipolar disorder and restless leg syndrome.

It's illegal for a drug company to market a medicine for uses the FDA has not approved. However, doctors can prescribe a drug in any manner that they think is best for their patients.

Warner-Lambert also orchestrated a "massive promotion" under the guise of continuing education classes for doctors about how to use Neurontin to relieve pain.

Respected doctors were the focus of Warner- Lambert's strategy according to corporate papers made public. These doctors would be the spokespersons referred to as "Neurontin champions." And, indeed, a number of prominent teaching doctors are listed in the filings along with the amount of money they were paid.

Neurontin is a top-selling medicine with more than $2 billion in sales revenue.

Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation in 2000.

Pfizer says the case involves incidents that occurred a few years before its purchase of Warner-Lambert. A spokesman for Pfizer said, "we strive to adhere to the highest ethical standards."

Sales of Neurontin for uses for which the FDA did not approve it reached 88 percent in 2000. In a brief supporting Dr. Franklin's lawsuit, the US Attorney's office in Boston asserted that Franklin's lawyers had "presented evidence of an illegal off-label marketing scheme that is rife with false statements and fraudulent conduct."

Pharmaceutical companies are faced with numerous lawsuits by hundreds of thousands of people claiming they have been injured by dangerous medicines and who want compensation. The drugs firms say it’s costing billions of dollars to defend themselves in court.

Wyeth, another big pharmaceutical firm, has set aside an amazing $16 billion since 1997 for claims by people who accuse the firm of being injured by its diet drugs. Lawyers say 90,000 more people may sue.

Drugs makers are feeling the heat. Bayer and Johnson & Johnson have been accused in thousands of lawsuits. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Merck are also the victims of lawsuits.

In July of last year, Abbott Laboratories pleaded guilty to a federal charge of obstructing investigations and agreed to pay $600 million in fines to settle civil and federal claims that it conspired to defraud government health care programs.

In 2002, TAP Pharmaceutical Products paid $875 million to settle criminal and civil charges that it had illegally manipulated the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The company was not excluded from the programs, but was forced to enter a "corporate integrity agreement" in which it agreed to widespread changes in its marketing practices under monitoring by the government.

Some of the drugs questioned in lawsuits have been taken off the market. "Rezulin," a diabetes medicine made by Pfizer, was pulled by the FDA because the regulatory agency found it to be linked to liver damage. The drug is being targeted in near 9000 lawsuits, and over 30,000 more people said they might file claims.

"Paxil," a best-selling antidepressant from GlaxoSmithKline, is said by plaintiffs to be addictive. The drug’s maker denies the charges.

Drugs that treat chronic conditions such as depression and diabetes are consistently big sellers because they are taken by millions of people over long periods of time. They are also attracting a great deal of complaints and lawsuits because of potentially dangerous side effects that surface after a drug is approved and on the market.

Clinical trials are conducted on only a few thousand subjects, so the tests can't possibly discover all of the harmful side effects.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the industry's trade group, has no comment on the rise in the number of lawsuits.

On the other hand, some companies freely acknowledge that they pay bribes to promote the use of their drugs, in contravention of government guidelines. But they say it's standard industry practice.

 

Direct to Consumers

The prescription drugs biz is going gangbusters. But consumers are going mad trying to cope with the costs.

Drug ads - they're everywhere - on TV, on the radio, in magazines. The ads are out to get you and they're working. Republican senator of Idaho, Larry Craig, wants to know if the ads drive up the price of drugs. "My suggestion to the pharmaceutical industry is the magnifying glass has just come out." Craig said he also wanted to know whether the ads encouraged people to see doctors, or created demand for unnecessary and expensive drugs.

The magnifying glass has indeed surfaced. And the feels better, looks great, sleep easy, pretty pictures of flowers and meadows with people prancing through, are all under observation. Why?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration relaxed regulations to allow the broadcasting of prescription drug ads in 1997. Since then, drugs advertising on TV and radio have really taken off. And so have drug prices, which have skyrocketed rising an average of 17 percent a year. These ads have had a direct impact on not only consumers, but medical professionals, healthcare service providers, and government as well.

"The problem is the feels good, look great ads, aren’t always what they claim to be. Advertising is the bane of doctors who have to try to correct a lot of misinformation," said Dr. Joseph Weiss of Lavona, Michigan. And U.S. senator Debbie Stabendow, Dem-Mich., is not pleased with the direction the ads are taking." Advertising has gotten out of control. Common sense says the pretty pictures and flowers and streams (in ads) are not about consumer education - they are about selling a product."

The FDA said it would increase the number of warning letters to drug companies that make false or misleading claims in ads. And in August of last year, the agency sent a warning letter to Bristol-Myers Squibb, informing the firm that print ads for its anti-cholesterol drug "Pravachol," make false and misleading claims that the drug helps prevent stroke when there is no scientific evidence to support it.

Bristol-Myers Squibb was ordered to pull its print ads, which appeared in a number of mainstream magazines, including Good Housekeeping, Smithsonian, Time, U.S. News & World Report and others. The drug maker must also run counter ads saying that the drug does not prevent stroke.

The FDA says it will announce new guidelines by the end of the year to further enforce rules against misleading drug ads. "It is more important than ever for Americans to be protected from misleading drug claims not based on scientific fact" said FDA commissioner Dr. Mark McClellan at a luncheon last year at the National Press Club.

Spending on prescription drugs has risen steadily from $1.6 billion in 1999 to around $2.3 billion in 2002, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR.

The Consumers Union reported earlier this year on a study done last year by Families USA, a consumer advocacy group, which found that the top nine pharmaceutical companies spend far more on marketing, advertising and executive pay than on developing new drugs. And the rise in prescription drug spending by consumers increased 19% in 2000 and another 17% in 2001, the latest year for which complete data are available. Almost half of the 2000 increase was driven by sales of the 50 most heavily advertised drugs, according to the most recent analysis by the private, nonprofit National Institute for Healthcare Management, which disseminates research on healthcare issues.

Jeff Trewhitt, a spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), says "the industry does a pretty good job on balance in compiling these ads, and the FDA certainly does a good job in monitoring and regulatory duties."

In an attempt to define its position, the FDA held a 2-day conference in September to review effects and perceptions of D-T-C advertising.

At the meeting, held in Washington, the FDA heard from a broad range of private and academic researchers about the effects of the $2.7 billion that the pharmaceutical industry now spends annually on television, radio and print advertising. Some critics of the FDAs advertising policy have argued that advertising to consumers has played a major role in driving up the nation's fast-rising bill for pharmaceutical drugs.

More important however, has been concern that aggressive advertising campaigns might lead patients to demand new but inappropriate medications and put strains on the doctor-patient relationship. Some of that appears to be happening, with the FDA researchers reporting that

7% of general practitioners said they have felt "very pressured" to prescribe heavily advertised drugs and 6% said the advertising has had a

very negative effect on their practice.

But widespread D-T-C advertising is having a generally positive effect on the medication- taking public and is not causing significant problems for doctors, a number of researchers testified before the FDA.

"Very few people reported that they are going into their doctor because of an ad for a prescription drug," said Kathryn Aikin of the FDAs Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communication.

However, the drug advertising research has also been questioned by some researchers, who say it relies too much on surveys and self-reporting. One researcher said the answers to questions given patients were often different from what doctors were revealing.

According to PhRMA, as a percentage of sales, drugs firms spent no more on marketing - 10.6%, than they did in 1997. Spending on research and development is also unchanged, at about 18% of sales. What has changed is D-T-C advertising, which rose from $1.1 billion in 1997 to $3 billion in 2001. A pretty sharp increase, which has a lot of eyebrows, raised.

The Consumers Union outlined earlier this year in Consumer reports, a computer-assisted analysis of all relevant letters to prescription drug makers from the FDA - and posted on the agency's Website from January 1997 through November 2002 - citing false or misleading drug promotions. Below, we list some of the complaints and the number of citations for each.

* Omitting, minimizing, or obscuring a drug's risks (365 citations)

* Inadequate, incorrect, or inconsistent labeling information (230 citations)

* False, misleading, or unsubstantiated efficacy claims (203 citations)

* False, unsupported, or misleading comparative or superiority claims (214 citations)

* Promotion of approved drugs for unapproved purposes or patient populations (121 citations)

* promotion of unapproved, still-experimental medications (62 citations)

* False or misleading information given to physicians by drug representatives or paid speakers (44 citations)

Serious Money

Other areas of the system are not immune, as you'll see below. But first, just to get a glimpse of the magnitude of the problem take a look at the following figures and you'll see we're not talking chump change here.

The National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association, a private-public nonprofit organization estimates that 3 percent of America's annual health care outlay - budgeted at $1.7 billion for 2003 - is lost to "outright fraud."

That would come to $51 billion last year alone. But wait, estimates by government and law enforcement agencies say the loss could be as high

as 10% of the annual expenditure. That would peg the fraudulent loss at a whopping $170 billion or more each year. How's it done?

The following are more infractions, which prompted criminal convictions and investigations for deception, fraud, greed and mismanagement.

Wheelchair Fraud Scheme

Seven physicians and owners of Durable Medical Companies (DME) were charged with allegedly defrauding the government in a multimillion dollar scheme involving motorized wheelchairs.

The Justice Department in a 101-count indictment accused the doctors and DME companies of conspiracy, healthcare fraud, and receiving or paying illegal kickbacks. According to the government, the wheelchair scheme involved the payment of kickbacks by DME companies to recruiters to solicit Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to acquire the wheelchairs; securing of fraudulent certificates of medical necessity to bill Medicare for the wheelchairs; the fraudulent billing of Medicare for unnecessary office visits and the unnecessary wheelchairs; and the provision of a less expensive piece of equipment to the beneficiary, if any equipment was provided at all.

Hospitals

Tenet Healthcare, the second largest U.S. hospital chain, agreed in August to pay $54 million to the government to settle claims that doctors at its Redding Medical Center in Redding, California, performed hundreds of unnecessary heart operations on otherwise healthy patients. The hospital then went further, billing Medicare, Medicaid and other government insurance programs for reimbursement.

The government has now notified Tenet Healthcare in September that it will hold proceedings to bar the hospital chain from federal healthcare programs. The hospital was given 35 days to submit documents and other evidence to prove the bar is unnecessary.

The office of the Inspector general at the Dept of Health and Human Services determined that Tenet had "furnished cardiology and cardiac services (including several cardiac catheterizations and coronary artery bypass grafts) that were medically unnecessary and failed to meet professionally recognized standards of healthcare." The government said the improper treatments and procedures took place from 1999 through 2002.

The medical center's chief of cardiology, Dr. Chae Hyun Moon, has surrendered his medical license pending resolution of the investigation. Dr. Fidel Realyvasquez was the hospital's top cardiac surgeon. The FBI raided the hospital and the offices of both men in October 2002 and the investigation has been ongoing since then. The $54 million Tenet agreed to pay relates to accusations that it engaged in medical necessity fraud - billing healthcare programs for treatment for diagnostic tests that were unnecessary.

The Dept. of Health and Human Services, under the terms of the settlement, was allowed to continue to its inquiry into whether the hospital should be barred from other federal health programs. American hospitals often depend on such payments for half of their revenue or more.

In June HCA, another hospital chain, agreed to pay $631 million to settle claims that it over-billed the government on insurance claims.

Also in June, Pediatrix Medical group, America's largest network of neonatal and maternal-health specialists, said it is under investigation for irregular billing of Medicaid, the government's health insurance program for the poor. "There's an enormous amount of money in the system," says Frank Razzano, a former government prosecutor now at Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky, in Washington. "Most of these hospitals are profit-making entities, and they all want to increase the bottom line. Indeed they do. And at any cost, it seems.

HealthSouth, America's biggest provider of outpatient surgery and other healthcare services, already reeling from accusations of accounting fraud, is also under scrutiny for allegedly billing Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars of services that it never delivered. Richard Scrushy, founder and former chief executive of HealthSouth is under investigation by the government, and fourteen people who worked under him have pleaded guilty to fraud and related charges.

US government officials say they have found deplorable conditions in many state institutions where children were supposed to receive treatment. Investigators from the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department recently found "significant and wide ranging deficiencies in patient care" at Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk, California, near Los Angeles. The hospital provides children aged 11 to 17 with "woefully inadequate" treatment and unnecessary medications, exposing them "to a significant risk of harm and to actual harm," the DOJ said.

The Justice Dept. also said children with mental disorders had been subjected to "unhealthy, inhumane and unlawful" conditions at two state training schools in Mississippi. US officials said children with mental disorders were not even supposed to be at the schools, named Columbia and Oakley.

In a survey of state and local officials, the General Accounting Office (GAO), an investigative arm of congress, found that parents had placed more than 12,700 children in the Child Welfare or Juvenile Justice System so the children could receive mental health services. But those figures came from just 19 states, so the nationwide number is much higher, says the GAO. The other 31 states did not respond to the survey or could not provide any data. Senator Susan Collins, (R) of Maine said "custody relinquishment is a symptom of a much larger problem: the lack of available, affordable mental health services for these children and their families."

Senator Collins and representative Pete Stark (D) of California, the senior party member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, are drafting legislation to halt what Congressman Stark calls "this barbaric practice."

Many states have cut Medicaid and mental health programs in the past two years, due to budget restraints. Medicaid finances the care of many of the mentally ill children in state custody. The bill to be introduced by Senator Collins and Congressman Stark would offer $55 million in grants to states to improve services for mentally ill children so parents would not have to give up custody.

An advisory commission appointed by President George W. Bush recently reported that the nation's health system was "in shambles." And interesting enough, the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, expressed alarm at the practice of trading custody for care. "When parents seed their rights in order to place their children in foster care or in a program for delinquent youth, they may also be inadvertently placing their children at risk for abuse or neglect," the commission said.

For years, we have read stories about the abysmal treatment of senior citizens in convalescent homes and private hospitals. Children appear to be no less immune.

As you might imagine concern is on the rise. These concerns involve patient safety, administrative errors, adverse drug reactions and interactions, medication errors, administrative costs, drug costs and more. And research studies and reports continue to find anomalies and glitches in the system.

The Government, Health, and Safety

The U.S. government's Agency for Health Research and Quality reported in October, that 32,000 Americans die each year as a result of largely preventable medical injuries. This report followed one done by the Institute of Medicine.

The Institute of Medicine, in 1999, reported that up to 98,000 Americans die every year from errors occurring in hospitals, outpatient clinics and doctor's offices. The study by AHRQ researches medical mistakes made only in hospitals. In a sampling of 994 hospitals in 28 states - representing 20% of the total number of hospitals, researchers focused on injuries caused by human error. Such injuries result in near 2.4 million extra days in the hospital and $9.3 billion in extra charges relating to longer hospital stays and increased care.

Medical Injuries Researched

Post-surgery sepsis - infections of the bloodstream. This occurred in over 2500 patients; extended the hospital stay to 11 days and cost an extra $57,727.

A wound reopening after surgery - often because of infection, added 10 extra days of hospitalization and over $40,000 in costs.

You've probably heard stories about medical instruments being left behind in a patient's body. Fortunately, it's not often something that will take your life, but it should certainly boggle your mind. It can also lead to a couple of more days in the hospital and add $13,000 to the bill. But why should you pay for physician mistakes?

The study's author, Chunliu Zhan of the agency's Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, said surgical infections often happen when staff members don't take proper precautions such as washing their hands or medical equipment properly.

Mismanagement - errors happen at even the best hospitals

Children's Hospital of Boston, a Harvard University affiliated teaching hospital, and considered one of the best - is facing a license review for Medicare treatment. The review is a result of the hospital's handling of four cases over the past 14 months.

Three deaths took place, one of which included a 5-year-old boy who had an epileptic seizure. It seems the doctors in charge of treating the child believed he was being administered to by other doctors. As such, the youngster was neglected for a time, and died.

Boston's Children's Hospital had already been faulted for "systems problems" two years before, when a small child suffered brain damage while waiting overnight for surgery.

In North Carolina, the Duke University Medical Center is under investigation by health officials concerning the death of a teenaged girl who died following a transplant operation in which she was given organs that didn't match her blood type.

Four months later, at the same Duke University Hospital, a flash fire killed a 2-day-old baby. Two months after that, another infant suffered burns caused by overheated air in an incubator.

At New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, the liver transplant program was suspended when a donor died from an infection, which was partially due to inadequate supervision. The program has since resumed operations.

These cases are just the tip of the iceberg, yet are reflective of the recent AHRQ report which stated over 32,000deaths take place every year in hospitals from preventable medical errors.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Pharmacy Benefit Managers act as a middleman between health insurers and patients, processing claims, filling orders and, in many cases, running mail-order pharmacies. PBMs are the archrival of pharmacies and have been accused of unscrupulous practices. Customers are generally employers, health plans, and the federal government. The industry claims it saves money for its customers by negotiating favorable rates on medication.

Medco, the nation's largest PBM, and a spin- off of Merck Pharmaceutical Corporation, has been under investigation for four years, as part of a wider probe of the industry by the U.S. attorney's office in Philadelphia.

The government civil lawsuit alleges that actions by Medco threatened patient safety and resulted in over billing of government health programs.

Some of the charges

Favored Merck drugs over competitors' when switching patients to drugs other than those their doctor ordered, even when Merck drugs were more costly.

Cancelled some patients' mail order prescriptions to avoid penalties from its customers for failing to fill orders in a timely manner.

Mailed prescriptions with fewer pills than ordered.

Failed to contact physicians when prescriptions were ambiguous, or needed checking to make sure the patient was not receiving an improper drug.

Pharmacy benefit managers are also expected to play a significant role in serving elderly and disabled Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. if congress passes Medicare drug legislation now being debated in a Senate- House conference committee.

The Latest Census Bureau Report: employer cutbacks, rising costs, the uninsured and some reactions.
Some figures from the Census Bureau report released in September (unless otherwise indicated)

* 43.6 million people in America have no health insurance. This adds an increase of 2.4 million people in 2002, the biggest jump in 10 years. Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of Health and Human Services says, "The nation must do more" to help the uninsured.

* The number of full-time workers losing health insurance in 2002 rose by 897,000 to reach 20 million. Ronald Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a consumer-advocate group said, "It's hard to grasp the magnitude of the number of uninsured. It exceeds the aggregate population of 24 states. All across the country states are experiencing fiscal crisis and a good number are considering cutting their Medicaid programs."

* Employers are cutting back on health benefits for workers. The proportion of people receiving health insurance through an employer-sponsored program dropped for two years in a row, declining to 61.3 percent in 2002 from 62.6 percent in 2001 and 63.6 in 2000. Employer coverage fell last year by 1.3 million to 175.3 workers insured.

Kate Sullivan, director of health care policy at the United States Chamber of Commerce says, "Workplace coverage is becoming unaffordable for many employers and employees. Either the company doesn't make it available or individuals are turning down coverage at work because they can't afford it. That's very alarming."

* Small Biz: At small firms with less than 25 employees, just 30.8 percent of the work force had employer-sponsored plans, falling from 31.3 percent in 2001. The drop also extended to companies with 25-99 employees. The proportion of workers in this group with insurance declined 2.4 percent to 54.4 percent.

* In a survey done in 2002 of 544 small companies by the National Federation of Independent Business Trade Group, 18 percent blamed higher insurance costs for lower earnings. A year ago the figure was 11 percent.

* A recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that insurance premiums shot up 15.5 percent this year for firms with 200 workers vs. a 13.2 percent rise for those with more than 200 workers.

* The average cost of a family health plan rose from $8,000 a year in 2000 to more than $9,000 last year and is expected to exceed $10,000 in 2004, says Helen Darling, president of the Washington Business Group on Health, which represents 180 corporations.

* The Census Bureau's uninsured American landscape: 11.7 percent in the Midwest, 13 percent in the Northeast, 17.1 percent in the west, and 17.5 percent in the south.

Senator Max Baucus, (Dem-Mont.): "We have long known the problem of the uninsured is serious. This week’s data shows that it's getting worse."

Minnesota does the best job of providing health coverage with 92 percent of its resident covered by a private or government program. Texas does the worst job of providing coverage, with the highest number of uninsured people - 24.7 percent over two years according to the Census Bureau.

More reactions relating to the Census Bureau Report

Kate Sullivan, director of health care policy at the United States Chamber of Commerce says, "The number of people earning over $50,000 without coverage is rising. This shows they're not immune."

Sean Harrigan, president of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS), America's third largest purchaser of health care providing health benefits to more than 1.4 million state employees: "This system is simply not sustainable."

Diane Rowland, executive director of the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the uninsured said, "These numbers are a real wake-up call to the fact lack of insurance is a growing problem in the United States."

High hospital costs, expensive prescription drugs, sky-high health insurance premiums rising at a rate of 16 percent a year ... Somebody's getting over like a fat rat in a cheese factory. But it doesn't appear to be consumers.

Joe France, an analyst at Banc of America Securities says, "It's a fabulous time to be an insurer."

Shellie Stoddard, a director of financial services ratings at Standard & Poor's in New York city said, "I can't remember when the health-insurance industry has had such a consecutive string of strong quarters," In the first quarter of 2003 alone, eleven major managed-care companies posted a 36.6 percent increase in net income, to $1.95 billion,

Rev. Michael Place, president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States said, "These figures and those on the poverty level in the United States indicate our country has a profound challenge in front of it, namely how, with all the wealth and power we have aggregated, can we ensure that all Americans are at the table of economic opportunity and have access to health care."

Being Rich is not Enough

America may be the richest and most powerful country in the world, but it rates low on health care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) gives the U.S. a world health rating of just 37. In its evaluation, the organization rates such things as access of citizens to health care, quality of care, cost of care, and results on infant mortality, teen pregnancy, prenatal care, hospitalization rates, immunization rates, nutrition, public health services, HIV treatment and prevention, etc.

Number 37 is nowhere near the top. But isn't that where the richest and most powerful country in the world should be, at the top with a number one rating? After all, the U.S. spends twice as much on healthcare per person than any other industrialized country. This comes to over $5000 a year per person.

What America does have though is 43 million people who are uninsured; 41 million senior citizens who are burdened with substantial prescription drug costs which are escalating; a Congress that produces poor health care legislation; 76 million baby boomers who within ten years time, will be eligible for healthcare services. Will all of these millions of people have access to affordable health care?

As noted by Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General, in the U.S. every criminal has the right to an attorney, but millions of hard working citizens can't get a doctor.

The Centers for Disease control and Prevention says seniors and older baby boomers are visiting the doctor more often than any other group in the country. They're seeking care for multiple chronic conditions and to get newly available drugs.

Today, at a time when health care and costs are at the top of everyone's agenda - especially the elderly and baby boomers - guarding your health takes on even greater significance. But it's not just about who ya gonna call anymore, it's increasingly about who ya gonna trust.

©2003 By Don Lucky