I just happened to find this video on YouTube...which fondly reminded me of my very first stay in a foreign country...!!!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Pharmaceutical Industry Vs. Doctors
"Sure, the pharmaceutial industry is much more powerful than doctors," my doctor flatly said to me.
She was talking about a weird prescription drug system in Japan. Whatever the manufacturer is, all prescription drugs of the same kind are the same retail price under Japan's health insurance system. But depending on the manufacturer, wholesale prices actually vary. For example, say, company A adopts a very strict standard to check pesticides used for growing plants for herbal medicine, while company B does not conduct such a strict inspection. As a result, company A's herbal medicine's whole sale price is more expensive than company B's. Even so, retail prices of both are the same - which means pharmacies could lose money by selling company A's quality medicine, but company A does not, because it can still charge the more expensive wholesale price to pharmacies whatever the fixed retail price is.
In short, the current system actually discourage doctors to prescribe good, quality, but expensive medicine. I thought the solution may change the retail prices depending on the whole sale prices and let doctors and patients choose....? What do you think?
She was talking about a weird prescription drug system in Japan. Whatever the manufacturer is, all prescription drugs of the same kind are the same retail price under Japan's health insurance system. But depending on the manufacturer, wholesale prices actually vary. For example, say, company A adopts a very strict standard to check pesticides used for growing plants for herbal medicine, while company B does not conduct such a strict inspection. As a result, company A's herbal medicine's whole sale price is more expensive than company B's. Even so, retail prices of both are the same - which means pharmacies could lose money by selling company A's quality medicine, but company A does not, because it can still charge the more expensive wholesale price to pharmacies whatever the fixed retail price is.
In short, the current system actually discourage doctors to prescribe good, quality, but expensive medicine. I thought the solution may change the retail prices depending on the whole sale prices and let doctors and patients choose....? What do you think?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Juex Interdits
When I first saw the film with my parents, I was more or less the same age as the main character girl. Until recently, I only had a vague memory about two scenes - when the air raids on the bridge that killed her parents and puppy, and when she refused to drink a cup of milk that contained a dead fly, as my mom pointed it out as interesting.
Decades later, I rented a video from a French school that I started to attend over the weekend, and saw the movie second time - only to find myself belonging to the foolish adult world. I felt as if I was knocked on the head, and was told "what the hell are you doing?"
Decades later, I rented a video from a French school that I started to attend over the weekend, and saw the movie second time - only to find myself belonging to the foolish adult world. I felt as if I was knocked on the head, and was told "what the hell are you doing?"
Oui, this world can be too political in various levels. But what we need in this crazy world is the straightforward, pure humanity and love that transcend throughout the movie, isn't it?
As I'm usually too workaholic even on weekends, such as watching CNN and C-SPAN, I decided to saw the video for a change. At the end of the day, this has led me to ponder over the world and my career seriously.
As I'm usually too workaholic even on weekends, such as watching CNN and C-SPAN, I decided to saw the video for a change. At the end of the day, this has led me to ponder over the world and my career seriously.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Cherry Blossoms
This year, cherry blossoms came out sooner than usual. Here is a picture in my neighbourhood that a local real estate agent sent me. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
No Mid-Term Goals
As I sorted out newspapers, an interview with a Zen monk caught my eye.
He said that in Buddhism, living moment by moment is most valuable -- ah well, I know this is frequently used philosophy by play boys.
Then the monk mentioned something much more interesting: it is mid-term goals that haunt us; it is actually stressless if you just focus on short term goals, such as having a coffee, and long term goals.
Aside from climate change discussions -- experts reiterate setting mid-term goals is crucial -- actually the idea of skipping mid-term goals is quite thought-provoking to me. He continued that mid term goals are often uncontrollable. Yeah, it would be easier to attain short term goals, and probably that would finally lead to long term goals....
He said that in Buddhism, living moment by moment is most valuable -- ah well, I know this is frequently used philosophy by play boys.
Then the monk mentioned something much more interesting: it is mid-term goals that haunt us; it is actually stressless if you just focus on short term goals, such as having a coffee, and long term goals.
Aside from climate change discussions -- experts reiterate setting mid-term goals is crucial -- actually the idea of skipping mid-term goals is quite thought-provoking to me. He continued that mid term goals are often uncontrollable. Yeah, it would be easier to attain short term goals, and probably that would finally lead to long term goals....
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Priceless Value of Being Single
OK...I know this is not an exemplary answer to the typical Monday morning question, "How was your weekend?" -- especially after a long three-day weekend.
But I've got to say that I was glued to the PC...watching all those videos on YouTube, CNN, C-SPAN.
I love current events and fresh, articulate views. From that stand point, this video was one of the best....!!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
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