On 2/8/2013 12:46 PM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
> Sometimes it seems all we have is advertising for prescription medication,
> especially one particular erectable dysfunction medicine that isn't Viagra.
> It's very off-putting to me. I figure the docs and the patients ought to be
> able to figure out what's needed. Methinks the drug companies are trying an
> end run on the docs to that patients will go into the appointment with a
> particular drug already in mind.
It's not just one or two drugs, and it's really pernicious. "Patients", as they
would like to be, are going to doctors,
demanding specific drugs, based on their own self diagnosis from ads and/or
what their friends are getting. When a
doctor refuses, they will just try another one, and often freely tell the first
that's what they will do, in an attempt
at coercion.
We are developing an idea of entitlement to the drugs of our choice. "Myrtle
has the same problem I have, why won't you
give me the medicine she swears by? Why do I not deserve that same treatment?"
Well, why not? "It's a free country!" We
have the right to be mistreated for non-existent or self limiting illnesses and
perhaps live a shorter life of poorer
quality if we want.
The problem is not recent, only the details have changed, but it is a MUCH
larger part of our economy now, and a serious
drain on limited economic resources. And much of the blame rests with the
mainstream medical establishment, as a whole.
One could blame politicians, but that's a much older problem, and as yet
untreatable.
> We (local we, don't know about national) used to have the same system with
> reps, but lots of places have put the squish on them. There's a big sign in
> my doctor's office about drug reps can leave their information, but they
> won't be seen. About the same time as the new policy went into effect, free
> samples started drying up. Go figure. <g.
That's heartening. It certainly wasn't the case here when my mother was alive,
but it's been five years, and one may be
hopeful.
I wonder how much it helps, though, as the end run described above may replace
the need for as many reps and perks to
keep the drugs flowing. One might wonder how much of the price of drugs is
creation, production and simple distribution,
and what proportion is marketing and political donations.
Questions to ponder: How is it that some drugs are legal and others not? Which
sort cause the most overall damage to the
economic health of the Nation and the mental and physical health of its
population?
I have neither answers nor solutions, but consider the questions useful.
Strong Opinions? Moose?
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
--
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