Hat Tip: To Russian Bloggers - The Power Of Activism
Russia: Bloggers Expose a Pharmaceutical Scam
Over the past few weeks thousands of Russian bloggers have united to combat a pharmaceutical scam that tried to persuade Russian pensioners to spend around half of their annual pension on a course of Gravikol 21 - ‘anti-arthritis’ drugs that were actually little more than vitamin pills.
In the course of their campaign, Russia’s bloggers have not only publicised the scam nationwide, they’ve forced the notoriously unresponsive Russian government to act.
In perhaps the most startling expression of their offline power, Russia’s bloggers made 21 million (!) phone calls to the offending company’s switchboard, forcing it into meltdown.
The story has hardly been heard outside of Russia - try a Google News search for Gravikol, if you don’t believe me - but it will fundamentally alter perceptions of how Russian bloggers can influence Russian public life.
How Russia’s Bloggers discovered the Gravikol 21 scam …
I found this story while surfing GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE.
Further research discovered the ONLY page brave enough to describe what this product really is and then sells it: INFOGENESIS who begins it’s page with a long Disclaimer:
“Primum non nocere”
Hippocrates
No product mentioned in these pages has been evaluated by the FDA and is meant to diagnose, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. If you have a health condition see your physician. Also, bear in mind that information presented in these pages about any product does not represent any claim made by the manufacturer of these products but is the opinion solely of the proprietor of this web site based upon his research.
“Our Proprietary process of Ionic and Bio-enegetically charging these formulas increase as well as help sustain potency making this specialty product line the leader on the cutting edge of technology All wild crafted tinctures are at maximum herbal saturation concentrates with Ionic charged minerals. The Phyto-Medicinals are cultivated and grown organically.”
Formula 2005
2 oz tincture
Gravicol has a long rich history of use in herbal medicine and has been studied by scientists since the 1940’s In 1997 Purdue University published information with promising news that Graviola has a special affinity for helping to maintain the normal functions of DNA activities in cellular meatoblism. Gravicol tincture helps to maintain a healthy immune system.*.
Ingredients: Graviola Leaf
Avoid use if taking: mao inhibitors, pregnant, breastfeeding, antidepressants.
Directions: 20-30 drops in water or juice 2-3 times daily between meals
It is advisable to take probiotic formula with gravicol for proper intestinal flora replacement.
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November 14th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
[...] Tip: To Russian Bloggers - The Power Of Activism bosskitty put an intriguing blog post on Hat Tip: To Russian Bloggers - The Power Of ActivismHere’s a [...]
November 15th, 2007 at 12:20 am
wow yay for good , thoughtful bloggers, in Russia no less, that is truly remarkable. I am so happy for them. Mounting such a successful campaign. I hope their internet remains free. Heaven knows i love it for the learning , for the conversation, for the opportunity to take some at least virtual action and listen to what others are thinking and writing about…Its such a gift , it really is and it must remain free and no toll roads…Who among us is not already paying a small fortune to our ISPs -
Its our town hall, street corner, soap box and way to research , I call it the worlds biggest library and will never forget the first time i got on line and realized I could go anywhere , find and read anything !!! Its a library lovers dream come true. all a few clicks away. - Not to mention what it does for the socially isolated , who feel politically alone..what a joy it was to read that others feel the same way i do , the anger , frustration. Then there are the people who shed light, stay on topics the MSM never covers. The long civil discussions. A virtual Salon - and the freedom to leave the rude and dogmatic with a click of a mouse. Such a banquet of knowledge and so many many stories..One could be on 24/7 and still never catch up !
….and i gotta say its blogs like this one, that put out some much researched information and offer discussions from all angles and view points really put the icing on the cake. And when one just needs a break , there are the fun sites. like i can has cheeseburger and cough cough Boss Critter *g* - yep yep. Its great to see the Russians enjoying and utilizing their freedoms too such as they are. Good on em and Good for them.
* OF course virtual action will never replace NOR should it, local affinity groups and all of us getting out into our communities face to face. Think globally , act locally has never been more true or needed.
And the Russians must be feeling a great satisfaction with the “potentcy” (pun intended) of their activism on this arthritis/ vitimin scam. It must be especially sweet for them. What a rook not arthritis medicine..but at least it was a vitimin and not pure dust. The Russians endure so much, seems its a very very tuff life there for most people.
Do you guys ever sleep ? No you are searching for Global Voices on Line. - A good blog like this one is truly an act of loving Altruism, and this reader appreciates it BIG TIME ! (my ancestors came from Russia)
November 15th, 2007 at 2:41 am
Russian bloggers expose Gravikol 21 pharmaceutical scam targeting pensioners…
Over the past few weeks thousands of Russian bloggers have united to combat a pharmaceutical scam that tried to persuade Russian pensioners to spend around half of their annual pension on a course of Gravikol 21 - ‘anti-arthritis’ dr…
November 15th, 2007 at 3:41 am
[...] Over the past few weeks thousands of Russian bloggers have united to combat a pharmaceutical scam that tried to persuade Russian pensioners to spend around half of their annual pension on a course of Gra [...]
November 26th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
passing by and learn from here
December 5th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
hey.. just wanna say thank you