Intentional Afflictions: Why Americans Trust Pharmaceutical Companies

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Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, and Heath Ledger- all are celebrities who died as a result of misused prescription drug consumption. Whether intentional or by accident, prescription drugs are dangerous and need to be prescribed as a last resort, not routinely. The Department of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy revealed that “in 2004, pharmaceutical firms spent more than $57 billion on marketing in the U.S., roughly twice their expenditure on research and development” (p.462). The FDA sign is a stamp of approval to many consumers who question a products safety or effectiveness. However, many people are oblivious to the fact that drug companies are for profit and work alongside with the FDA to see that the drugs are approved with only minimum requirements. Americans continuously put their confidence in drug companies because they believe the FDA approval has their best interests in mind, they feel society has accepted prescription drugs as an ideal form of pain management, and they have involuntarily become dependent on the addictive chemicals that are found within the drugs. First of all, The FDA is a government organization. Even though the FDA was designed for public awareness and safety, reviewing the topic further, one can detect a strong influence that the drug companies have on the FDA. There is a mutual connection that both parties agree on; and they have in turn, created a callous collaboration that affects us all. Drug companies don’t want the public to know that most drugs being created are not going through lengthy, well- researched trials. Most clinical trials are being tweaked to reflect mainly positive outcomes. Joseph Heyman, an American medical associati... ... middle of paper ... ...mes. American Journal of Managed Care. 17.12 (2011): 462-471. Academic search complete. Web. 8 March. 2012. Davis, Robert. “Greater Drug Trial Transparency Urged.” USA Today 16 June 2004. Newspaper source. Web. 8 March. 2012. .Gardiner, Harris. “F.D.A. Is Lax On Oversight During Trials, Inquiry Finds” New York Times. Jan 2009. Newspaper source. Web. 8 March. 2012. Houston, Muiris. “Jackson’s Drug Cocktail The Wrong Prescription.” Irish Times. 01 Sept 2009. Newspaper source Web. 8 March. 2012. Park, Madison.”Pain Relief can Spiral into Addiction to Prescription Drugs.” CNN Health, N.p. 14 July 2009. Web. 8 March. 2012. “Prescription Drug Crisis Calls For Team Effort.” Editorial. Portland Press Harold. 21 Oct 2011. Newspaper source Web. 8 March. 2012. Smallwood, David. “Hooked On Prescription Drugs.” The Times. 7 April 2009. Newspaper source. Web. 8 March. 2012.

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