The New York Times reports that gout, an ailment once known to affect the richer level of society, is returning and showing up again in today's American middle class.

The Times' article stated that: "the rising tide of gout is leading the pharmaceutical industry to rediscover what it had considered a disease in the past."  According to the article, three companies are waiting for their pending FDA approvals and many more are on the way.

Is it absolutely necessary to make money off of the return of an age-old disease? Wouldn't it make more sense to return to evidence-based medicine that worked decades ago? This is a perfect example of the necessity of marrying our new technological capabilities with the evidence-based medicine we have practiced forever. 

In other words, don't fix it if it ain't broke --- just upgrade, if necessary. 

To read the full article, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/health/13gout.html?em