By Walt Lindala and Pete Mackin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh recently attacked Rep. Bart Stupak, (D) Menominee, calling him a “nitwit” and an “idiot” for investigating advertisements for the cholesterol medication Lipitor, manufactured by Pfizer.
“Like any American, Rush Limbaugh is entitled to his opinion,” Stupak said. “He has a bigger microphone than most Americans. but that doesn’t affect us doing our job.”
Recently Stupak and House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell, (D) Dearborn, criticized Pfizer’s use of Dr. Robert Jarvik – inventor of the artificial heart – as a spokesman for Lipitor in advertisements. Dingell said that while Jarvik holds a medical degree, he didn’t believe he was qualified to promote Lipitor because he is not licensed to practice medicine and in particular is not a cardiologist. He also took issue in general with pharmaceutical companies using celebrity endorsements in direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
Stupak remarked on Pfizer’s February decision to pull the Jarvik ad campaign after the House subcommittee on investigations charged that the company was misleading the public about Dr. Jarvik’s qualifications to recommend Lipitor.
“I commend Pfizer for doing the right thing and pulling the Lipitor ads featuring Dr. Jarvik,” Stupak said in a press release. “When consumers see and hear a doctor endorsing medication, they expect the doctor is a credible individual with requisite knowledge of the drug.”
Limbaugh cited that statement on air as he went after Dingell and Stupak.
“Now who do you suppose knows more about medicine – Dr. Jarvik or nitwit House Democrats who have no requisite knowledge of damn near anything,” Limbaugh said. “Besides, you don’t just walk into a drugstore and say Dr. Jarvik sent you for Lipitor – your own doctor has to prescribe the stuff.”
“Now one reason health care costs are so high is that wholesale idiots like Bart Stupak and the rest of the Democrats insert themselves into industries they are not in the least bit competent to manage, run or regulate – for that matter even open their mouths about. Idiots!” he said.
Stupak reponded to Limbaugh’s attack by saying he takes it as a “badge of honor”.
“In fact, when (Limbaugh) makes derrogatory statements and attacks on me or any other member of the committee that does this work, it more or less becomes a badge of honor,” Stupak said. “You must have hit a nerve – therefore you’re doing your job. When Rush Limbaugh starts berating me, that means I’m doing my job – I’m being effective.”
Stupak also said he thought Limbaugh was giving the drug companies a pass on being honest with their customers.
“He’s lashing out at those of us who are trying to protect the American people – and all we are saying is, ‘Just be honest’,” Stupak said. “That’s all we’re asking. Obviously Mr. Limbaugh doesn’t think the big drug companies and the big corporations have to be honest with the American people.”
“He can rant and rave and call names, but it doesn’t resolve this situation,” Stupak added. “The Lipitor ad was false and misleading.”
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