Not a Necessity

Seeing all the new comercials and advertisements for new drugs definately has an effect on the sales. Think back to the 1990's when there was a new push for anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. According to the companies, the sales tripled just through the 1990's and they became one of the top-selling categories of drugs sold. But are these drugs safe, even though so many people readily request and purchase them? Since these is evidence that doctors and their offices are linked to these drug companies, have you ever thought about why they are prescribing what they are?

Research suggests that the more doctors are exposed to sales representatives out of the pharmaceutical company, the more likely they are to favor the drugs they have heard most about. They are influenced to prescribe these expensive medications even if there is a different option that is equally effective and less costly to the patient. More recently, there has been several studies on the side effects of these widely used drugs. According to clinical studies, the side effects of anti-depressants can be sexual problems, severe withdrawal, allergy reactions, and increased risk of suicidal behavior. It makes me wonder why a parent concerned about their depressed child would put them on a medication that increases the risk of suicide. Even more severe, research found that the anti-depressant Serzone was linked to hepatitis and even liver failure. I think I would much rather find another way to cope with depression then make my health worse when trying to fix one thing that is wrong. This just proves the most advertised product is not always the best, it is better to know the facts before putting toxic chemicals for things that don't need immediate attention. There was one story during this depression section that really caught my eye. It is from a conference that was held in Washington D.C. that are public meetings. This was their story:

"Our daughter Julie had been excited about college and scored 1300 in her
SATs," Tom Woodward told the FDA advisers soon after the hearing began. A few
weeks after her final school exams, following what her parents describe as a
normal bout of teenage trouble, Julie was diagnosed with depression and
prescribed Zoloft. After a week on the ddrug she went into the family garage and
hung herself. "Instead of picking out colleges for our daughter, my wife and I
had to pick out a cemetery plot for her," Woodward said, his voice full of
sadness and anger. "Instead of looking forward to visiting Julie at school, we
now visit her grave."

Hearing this story, anyone would think twice about taking a prescription if it wasn't absolutely needed. It is known now that many of the people on these medications are not in that "need" category of anti-depressants. It is to make them feel a little better than they were before.

Another new drug stream coming through recently has been hormore replacement treatment through pill supplements. Lesa Henry, head of major drug company Wyeth, has been under a constant criticism for the way she marketed her new and innovative system to help all struggling women through menopause. As the drug came out, she instantly turned to celebrity faces to advertise. She hired supermodel Lauren Hutton to sell the new drugs. The company chose to focus on the consequences of "estrogen loss" and claimed that the following lie ahead for women after menopause: Alzheimer's disease, heart attack, colon cancer, cataracts, teeth loss, night sweats, vaginal dryness, bone fractures, and more. If I were to read this article they wrote in Parade magazine insert, I would be horrified because I honestly don't know all the effects of menopause. This drug company is harboring horrifying things that will scare their patients into buying and exposing themselves to the treatment Wyeth has made. Later, the FDA said regulations forbid Wyeth from making one-sided claims and not mentioning any side effects. But by the time the FDA caught it, the damage was done. The exposure to this new drug was out and people knew about it. It seems the only people you can trust with actual advice is the ones that are not involved with the drug companies. A group like National Women's Health Network advocate that menopause is a natural process and that it is not a disease of deficiency or loss.

Reading through this book, makes me question every advertisement on TV and makes me listen a little closer to the side effects and possible risks of taking the medication. Even though I do believe some people need them, there are those who are prescribed medication that are not in absolute need of the help the drug would do. All the advice from this book says, think twice and read the small print.