<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I had an interesting experience today.  I found out that my blood
pressure medication contains a 'starch'.  My pharmacist could not
identify which one from his files, so gave me a long distance number to
the drug company in New Jersey.  I called it and after going through five
or six computer menus, I finally got to talk to a real person who
confirmed that there is a 'starch' in the medication I was asking about,
but she said she was not able to define it any more precisely than that
for me as I am the CONSUMER.  The policy of Novartis (which is the parent
company of Ciba-Geigy) is to only give information to "Health Care
Professionals".    I had to call my pharmacist and ask him to call the
drug company.  It turns out that the 'starch' is actually corn starch,
therefore safe, but the drug company couldn't/wouldn't tell me.

In case anyone wants to call Novartis / Ciba-Geigy they do have a toll
free number:  1-888-669-6682.

Sign me FRUSTRATED IN MISSOURI

Jim

Depression is anger with no enthusiasm.