Oh, the irony

[andygates]

Behold the Palm Pistol.  It's an ergonomic single-shot pistol intended for the gun-toting elderly and generally unable-to-use-a-regular-pistol.  Now, you might think that it's simple, cynical fear-exploitation marketing, noting that the shaky arthritic claw and rheumy eye are unable to actually hit anything with it, and it's not intimidating because it doesn't look like a gun.  You might, but you'd be wrong.

See, I think it's almost pure, realized condensate of irony.  This weapon is certified as a medical device.  The plan is to offer it on prescription.

Only in America.

Comments

[thudthwacker.livejournal.com]

A. Medical. Device.

Aha.

Well, it's good to know that the FDA is showing its usual thoroughness and dedication to common sense.

No, wait, the FDA's usual thoroughness and dedication to common sense is actually quite poor, now I come to think upon it. But certainly on display here.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Yup, now the elderly and enfeebled can shoot themselves in the foot too. Presumably while drooling through false teeth that Mumbai would never happen here because they'd take 'em down. ;)

I thought the FDA usually required a fat bribe, er, donation to approve stuff...

[teahisme.livejournal.com]

Heh and your drug approval group is better? Oh wait I seem to recall many people dieing here for lack of treatment and available drugs because the NHS and the government deem them too expensive. So you get to die because it is just too much to try and keep you alive. I'll take a ponderous and questionable group over that yeah thanks.

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Easy with the taking-offense there, tiger. I never said NICE were better; never even brought 'em up. Cranky Sunday much?

[simoneck.livejournal.com]

The EMEA is the European equivalent of the FDA - Both approve the safety of new drugs.
NICE are something very different. They are, in effect, part of the NHS and supposed to decide whether new drugs are cost effective (which is very different to whether the drugs are safe).

Because the US doesn't have country-wide governmentally controlled heathcare in the sameway, there isn't a direct equivalent of NICE. I suppose the level of health cover you have is the deciding factor, rather than a centralised government body.

US spending on healthcare (as a % of GDP) is far higher than in the UK. General opinion holds that it's far better at the high end and far worse at the low end, but it's not my chosen specialist subject.