vol1 - Page 278
Page 278
Previous ,
Next ,
Original Image
Return to Index
Judge Young: They didnet understand what_
sir?
North: What a safe and effective [drug] is.
The standard for safe and effective use of
any drug in the treatment of glaucoma. It
has been established by the FDA_ Number ones
does it [lowerl intraocular pressure. And
._> there [is] a lot of evidence by the time this
statement that [marijuana] dens indeed lower
intraocuiar pressure. All rights Safes
What is considered safe? Safe is a parameter
based upon individual patient therapy. What
is safe in an individual patient. We know
..iii> that Diamox, for instance, the drug that
M_o Randall was taking . _ . causes kidney
stones .... Buts is it safe for Mr_
Randall's case? If you meas_:re what his
pressure will do to his eyesight versus the
possibilities of side effects_ [Diamox] was
_. safe to use in Mr. Randall_s case. Marijuana
has shown [itself] to be safe in the indi=
vidual
u_29f that drug in patient
therapy. _I
Dr. Merritt, a member of the AAO's Ad Hoc Committee
..... _ until his resignation in early 1985_ is more direct:
It should be remembered that ophthalmologists
are highly trained medical specialists.
Final determinations of safety and effective_
heSS are not reached by. committees composed
i! of pre-selected individuals who do little
more than repeat ingrained, but scien_$$_
cally questionable social prejudices° _-_I
MezTitt notes:
....... From the start I was concerned with the
overly political, as opposed to medical,
emphasis of the AAO in appointing the
committee .... The committee's conclusions
were not reached by a cogent assessment of
the data, but by prearrangement° In the
ii! end, I was so disgusted by the committee's
prejudqment of the issues blindness to the
available facts and disregard for long
__2_/ /_. at 7-97°
_2_/ Rebuttal Affidavit of Dr. John Merritt, _ 66.
Previous ,
Next ,
Return to Index