E-DRUG: Andrew Herxheimer, 1925-2016 (8)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear colleagues:
We remember Prof. Andrew Herxheimer (MB, MS) because of his many remarkable
scientific contributions and personal relationships, which have already been
widely discussed in E-Drug and elsewhere. He is recognized as one of the
pillars of the medical discipline of Clinical Pharmacology worldwide.
Many colleagues have offered their condolences, as do I, and I cannot
refrain to make public my personal feelings about the remarkable human,
scientific, and personal qualities of Andrew.
My interest in Andrew started in the 70s. At the time I was thinking of
becoming a clinical pharmacologist. Through reading his articles, I got part
of my motivation to dedicate myself professionally to clinical pharmacology.
In addition, I want to acknowledge his contribution to my professional
development in the early motivational steps because his explanations on drug
findings were very intelligent yet conceptually simple, he conducted
research in clinical explanatory models with a strong analytical and
critical personal positioning, providing the grounds for the expansion of
clinical pharmacology, particularly in all issues related to drug
information and the new subject of “social pharmacology” (1).
I wish to express my eternal gratitude to Andrew.
Although my background in clinical pharmacology was principally due to my
tutor and mentor Louis Lasagna, MD, ScD, then at the University of
Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA, I have also had some interesting
correspondence with Andrew. The most recent exchange was on January 16,
2016. Because of the recent and inspiring content about his strong spirit,
and eagerness at 90 years of age, I quote three paragraphs from his message:
[Quote]
'“My latest idea is to try to start teaching the public how to think about
medicines/drugs, using the attached basic principles.
I intend to begin with a local group of the University of the Third Age
(U3A) in North London. This works with small groups of interested people, mostly in people’s homes. They study all kinds of subjects – including literature, arts, languages, sciences, sports and games.
The definition of 3rd age is anyone who has stopped working, of whatever
age, so it spans roughly 50 to 100. I am now 90. This is an attractive group because they have time and enthusiasm, and many of them will be taking various medicines. Does Spain have a U3A?”
[end quote]
With my appreciation, my deep respect to him, I ask that God bless this
magnificent professor.
Prof. José-Luis Alloza, MD, PhD
Clinical Pharmacologist
Dep Biomedical Sciences
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The University of Alcalá de Henares
E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
joseluis.alloza@gmail.com