In Memory of Dr. Jay S. Cohen, M.D.

I am saddened to report that Dr. Jay S. Cohen, M.D. passed away on December 6, 2015.

Dr. Cohen tirelessly advocated for recognition of medication adverse reactions, and specifically focused much of his work on bringing to light the many dangers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Dr. Cohen’s articles about fluoroquinolone toxicity included:

• New Warnings for Cipro, Levaquin, and other Quinolone Antibiotics
• Peripheral neuropathy associated with fluoroquinolones
• Reactions to Cipro, Levaquin, and Other Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
• Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome: A Letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education & Labor
• New Warnings for Cipro, Levaquin, and other Quinolone Antibiotics
• Severe Reactions to Levaquin, Cipro and Other Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics: Are Doctors in Denial?

Many more articles by Dr. Jay S. Cohen can be found on his web site, www.medicationsense.com.

In addition to many articles, Dr. Cohen also published several books including, “How We Can Halt The Cipro & Levaquin Catastrophe: The Worst Medication Disaster In U.S. History.”

Dr. Cohen also consulted with and helped hundreds of people who had been injured by fluoroquinolone antibiotics. He was a powerful advocate and a friend to the community and many people in it. He is missed.

From the Jay S. Cohen M.D. Foundation Web Site:

Jay S. Cohen, M.D., was a nationally respected expert on prescription medications and natural therapies. Dr. Cohen earned his medical degree at Temple University in 1971. After completing his internship, he practiced general medicine and conducted ground-breaking research at UCLA in acupuncture and pain. In 1974, he undertook a residency in psychiatry and psychopharmacology at UCSD, where he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry. He was Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Erythromelalgia Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.

Dr. Cohen’s interest in pharmacology led to independent research on the causes of medication side-effects that result in more than 100,000 deaths and 2 million hospitalizations each year. He noted that a substantial number of people are medication-sensitive, and, starting in 1996, published his findings in eight books and in leading medical journals, as well as articles in publications such as Newsweek, Bottom Line Health, and Life Extension Magazine. His work was featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Wall Street Journal, Modern Maturity, Women?s Day, and many other national magazines and newspapers. His book, Over Dose: The Case Against The Drug Companies (Tarcher/Putnam, 2001), was favorably reviewed by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and the The Journal of the American Medical Association.

In the course of his professional career, Dr. Cohen was featured on more than 100 radio programs across America, including NPR. He presented his findings at conferences of patients, doctors, drug industry executives, and attorneys. During the post-9/11 anthrax scare, his journal article on severe reactions to the class of antibiotics that includes Cipro and Levaquin, triggered a national debate and prompted the U.S. Center of Disease Control to withdraw its recommendation for their use in anthrax-exposure cases.

In 2002, Dr. Cohen was the keynote speaker at the Annual Science Day of the US. Food and Drug Administration’s Clinical Pharmacology Division. He debated top FDA officials on drug safety at several conferences, including those hosted by the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Drug Information Association.

Dr. Cohen made his home in Del Mar, CA for over 40 years. He was an avid lover of learning, dogs and the beauty of Del Mar. He is survived by his son Rory Cohen and daughter-in-law Alana Cohen, and a nephew, Hal Cohen.

I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Jay S. Cohen just a few months before he passed. He was thoughtful, generous and passionate about helping those who have been hurt by fluoroquinolones. He was a wonderful advocate whose work is greatly appreciated by many.

Condolences to Dr. Cohen’s family, friends and loved ones have been expressed extensively in the fluoroquinolone affected community. I echo those condolences. The fluoroquinolone harmed community, and the world, lost a brave and beloved man when Dr. Cohen passed.

He is appreciated and missed.