But Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party disagree. Prescribed for the most common form of the disease, Type 2 or adult-onset diabetes, the drug has been linked to 63 deaths and 10 liver transplants. Some are criticizing the FDA and pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis for allowing the drug to go on the market in the first place. But diabetes educator Keith Campbell, associate dean of the WSU College of Pharmacy, says when a drug is approved, it is impossible to know what the exact effect or toxicity is until it has been used in large numbers of sick people. He applauds the FDA and Parke-Davis for monitoring Rezulin and working together to withdraw the drug from the market.
Consumers keep spending and the market keeps booming.
However, some are concerned that inflation could eventually bring an end to the country's soaring economy. In an attempt to slow down spending and keep the economy from overheating, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates yet again on Tuesday, making it the fifth rate hike since June. Stephen Perez, assistant professor of economics, says that while the rate hike was anticipated by the financial markets, the effects are likely not to be felt for several months, if at all. He says the expansion is being driven by consumer wealth, and until that slows, the economy will continue to grow. From protein and liquid diets to Slim Fast and non-fat foods, many Americans find themselves struggling to understand just what is considered to be a nutritious diet.