The Negative Impact of OTC and Pescription Drugs
opinionated Essay
1271 words
Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, Claritin, Nyquil. The list seems to never end and they all achieve the same purpose. Forget wanting to feel better, America craves a binge drug to provide hope in the oh-so relentless cold that has been affecting them for longer than desired. Of the millions upon millions of people who daily rely on OTC and prescription drugs to suppress their cold, headache, heart burn etc, many do not understand the impact of drug consumerism on a broad scale. What is at stake? Is our need for over the counter drugs and prescriptions becoming customary instead of necessary? Should over the counter and prescription drugs be regulated more strictly? The adaptation of drugs like most staple products is a reliance that may be more intricate than previously acknowledged.
Since the discovery of herbal remedies to treat wounds and other illnesses since the beginning of human existence, adaptation techniques to cure ailments have been crucial to protect the well being and sustenance of physical and mental health. As shown by recordings that suggest the presence of herbal remedies by early humans and then the development of medicine by ancient societies such as the Egyptians and Greeks, the need for gluttonous consumption of inessential medicine has captured the eyes of society. Although vital medicines to treat important diseases and viruses have been used in the continuing of population growth and health efficiently, the foundation for excessive medicinal refinement has ironically caused the production of niche markets for seemingly comforting purposes. Beginning with Romans, who provided sage as medical treatment for emotional purposes as early as 98 AD, claiming that it was a healer for the spirit, providers ...
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...onsumer. If a substitute for marijuana were available, which would not cause impariment, it would be logical to provide a substance that does not adversely affect the judgment of an individual. Similarly, substitutes could be found for other dangerous OTC or prescription drugs with the use of generic products, which would reduce the cost to individuals and taxpayers alike.
Ultimately, our obsession with the medicine industry only serves to diminish our oppurtunity to be healthy and appropriatley assess medical obligations if misuse of drugs continues to occur. Although we are attracted to the notion of bettering ourselves, we are hindering progression at an alarming rate with the continually growing dependence on the industry. However, what is most sinister is that we our decieving ourselves into thinking medication benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Feeling sick yet?
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america craves a binge drug to provide hope in the oh-so- relentless cold that has been affecting them for longer than desired.
- Argues that adaptation techniques to cure ailments have been crucial to protect the well-being and sustenance of physical and mental health.
- Explains that many americans have the luxury of preparing with a complete array of assistive products when the dreaded common cold relapses. household names such as kleenex, campbells, halls and more recently in modern culture, companies like robitussin exemplify convenience.
- Explains the ftc's responsibility of what products are to be used by the american public and millions of visitors to the united states.
- Explains that the most overbearing use of an otc or prescription abused drug is a dietary product reffered to as fen phen.
- Explains that prescription drug dependence is an epidemic that continues to be prevalent in modern society. actors and actresses who have abused and succumbed to drug abuse are recognized as examples of the misapplication of prescription drugs.
- Opines that the use of marijuana has gained legal status recently in several states for "medicinal purposes." the government and private businesses strive to earn a profit through rationalization.
- Opines that our obsession with the medicine industry only serves to diminish our oppurtunity to be healthy and appropriatley assess medical obligations if misuse of drugs continues.
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- Cites barkley, murphy, and cohen as sources for quality add/adhd information. the american psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
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- Explains that non-pharmacologic primary prevention strategies such as mastectomies have been investigated with promising but controversial results.
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862 wordsRead More - Traditional African medicines, and the spiritual healers that administer these medicines are an important part of African society. For many centuries and even millenniums these healers with there spiritual and naturalistic remedies have been responsible for taking care of the African world as we know it. Traditional African medicines have been a greater help to all of society and modern science, but still lie at the root of much controversy over its ability to be a valid healing tool. Some doctor’s and scientist believe that a possible placebo effect may be the root of what makes these remedies and rituals work; but there is also evidence that suggest that many of the ingredients found in our medicines today are also found in the natural animal and plant products used by the healers. In fact many pharmaceutical companies have recently been looking at the content of these natural substances in hope of finding chemical compounds that can help modern science in producing modern medicines to cure disease. Despite modern day societies use of the healers remedies in modern medicine, there still seems to be some confusion as to who the healer really is and what their motives are. Many people using naïve thought process perceive the healer as one practicing witchcraft. This may be due to the disbelief that natural substances are capable of healing, or the belief that ritualistic and spiritualistic ceremonies and practices stem from evil or voodoo. Despite all of this opposition and change into a more scientific world, the healer remains as one of the most sought after people in the African world, and even in large African cities were western heal...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that traditional african medicines and the spiritual healers that administer them are an important part of african society.
- Explains that the distinction between the healer and the common man puts him in a position of power and respect in most african communities. spiritual healers are heterogeneous, not having much in common relating to religion, sex, or education.
- Explains that spiritual healers are often confused by witchcraft and voodoo, a religion derived from african polytheism. this confusion dates back to the salem witch trails and controversy.
- Cites okpako, david t., traditional african medicine: theory and pharacology explored. trends in pharmacological sciences & toxicology sciences.
- Cites gessler m.c., msuya d.e.
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- Analyzes richard tiner's article, "the pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering," arguing that the industry endorses the definition of disease.
- Opines that tiner is right that the pharmaceutical industry is accountable for saving millions of lives through preventive medicine, but he seems on the more dubious ground when claiming prophylactic drugs only for the good of man.
304 wordsRead More