In a 6 to 3 decision, another pharmeceutical company lost their appeal to the Supreme Court, who determined the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a drug’s label doesn’t protect drug makers from patient lawsuits alleging inadequate warnings.
These decisions are happening more and more as people are figuring out they are being prescribed drugs they aren’t entirely sure the benefit/risk ratio. I’ll have to say, there are many circumstances where I personally am so glad there are drugs to do miraculous things for us in dire times of need.
But, here are the days that we call our doctor and they say . . .”oh, you probably have XYZ so let me call in Drug X.” It’s an exclamation on the end of the point that the FDA can’t do it all, nor DOES it do all things to protect us. There’s no way it can.
I called the doctor the other day over a minor issue. I will have to say, they at least asked me to come in, but they already had 3 prescriptions waiting for me.
To this, my experience has show there are so many other lifestyle changes, or even homeopathic or simple household solutions, that can be discovered first. I was less than impressed by the doctors recommendations, so I dealt with my own issue at home and I’m glad to say, I’m all better. I didn’t have a seizure or go into cardiac arrest, but there’s a point here.
Maybe these pharmaceutical companies, along with the government and our family doctors can start talking to us SERIOUSLY about diet, exercise, and nutrition in therapeutic ways. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a higher death and disability toll from these drug makers before the paradigm shift happens . . . but, I think we are on our way to learning a terrible lesson.
To contemplate this issue further . . . check out the movie, The Constant Gardener. I don’t think it’s a true story, but it’s based on solid research of what is happening around the world and the affects of the drug industry and their carelessness.
McKenzie said,
March 6, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
Just today I had to call the doctors office in regards to some ailments my 8 month old son has. Immediately the nurse asked if the doctor could just prescribe him something new so I wouldn’t have to come in! I was FURIOUS! I had to kindly state to her that I had not gone to medical school, so I couldn’t tell her what my son needed, but I knew I wasn’t going to give my son anything anyone gave him on a whim without seeing him. It was rediculous. We made an appointment and the doctor simply prescribed a homemade salt water solution for my little guy’s nose. It’s infuriating that the medical fields are so quick to give drugs before they even look at the patient…especially a helpless little babe!