In an uncanny bit of timing, this scathing Institute of Medicine report came out the same day I posted news about America's dismal health care scorecard. With the current Congressional session nearly over, there's no hope that any of these reforms will be considered before next year, when federal legislators will reconsider the existing agreement with the multi-national drug companies, under which they pay millions to speed up reviews of new drugs. Under current law, those fees cannot be diverted to shore up the agency's woefully underfunded safety division. Of course, the drug cartel's minister of propaganda, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, would have you believe any notion the FDA is seriously compromised is a big mistake. They oppose the mandatory registration of clinical trials, arguing that this would force companies to reveal trade secrets, and they also oppose any restrictions on advertising. It's fairly easy to see where they stand on the issue of making money versus ensuring patient safety. However, the real mistake would be trusting the FDA's opinions about drug safety, especially considering it can't even assess its own success or failure, according to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). We'll have to wait and see if these recommendations cause any actual changes. The drug companies significantly influence American political leaders that are responsible for FDA policies and funding. From 1998 to 2005, drug and chemical corporations spent $758 million on lobbying politicians. In the 2004 elections alone, nearly $1 million was contributed to President Bush, $500,000 to his opponent John Kerry, and over $100,000 was contributed to approximately 18 members of Congress. The drug and chemical industries employ over 1,200 full-time lobbyists, including 40 former members of Congress. The drug and chemical corporate lobbyists are extremely successful at what they do, which puts the FDA at the mercy of the very same chemical industry that they aim to regulate. So, the odds are stacked against any real changes. Don't count on the FDA. People need to take responsibility for their own health and: Radically cut back on the nearly 200 pounds of sugar they eat each year Stop spending 90 percent of their food money on processed foods Exercise four to five times a week Stop relying on drugs as Band-Aids to treat their symptoms, and demand solutions instead