global review "Pharmaceuticals"

Global Issue Review
“Pharmaceutical Corporations and Medical Research”

Lately, all I see during commercials on TV. is “If you tried this drug and got these symptoms or another health problem due to this drug, please call blah blah blah law firm. You might be entitled to a cash settlement.” What’s scary is, I just saw a lawsuit against Accutane or the generic version Isotetrinoin, and I’ve used that in the past. I’ve heard so much negative feedback about Accutane but the doctor eased me into taking it. The process of getting this medicine was a lot of work. First you have to log into a website and PLEDGE that if we are a female; we will use TWO types of birth control. Whether it is abstinence, condom, birth control pills, etc… From then you have to take a urine test to make sure you’re not pregnant because this medicine will tremendously disfigure a fetus. Finally, before you get the medicine, you have to get a blood test to make sure your cholesterol is normal. Every time you get a new prescription, which is usually for six months and then you have to take a break, you have to go through the same routine.
For me, I thought it was worth is because I literally tried everything to clear up my skin. Certain blood samples would show that my cholesterol was high, but this was due to the drug so if it continued, the doctor would take me off of it. Well, I finished my six month trial, and ta-da…..CLEAR SKIN! My face was dry and my lips were always chapped, but all in all it was worth it.
When I saw the commercial about the “Accutane lawsuit,” everything they were accusing the drug about were common side effects. Don’t get me wrong, I was scared and traced back my steps to see if I had any of those symptoms but I think I’m ok.
Being raised in an Asian family, “Americans” are known to be “SUE” happy. Every time there’s an opportunity to make a quick buck, Americans would jump on it. How does McDonald lose a lawsuit against a woman that spilled hot coffee on her claiming there was no warning on the cup! Maybe that’s why with the newer prescription drugs that are coming out, they clearly state “side effects included this, this, that, and in severe cases this, which you should contact your physician.” Even though we know the side effects, we try it to ease or cure whatever it is we are diagnosed with. But how do we really know if the drug corporations are telling us the whole truth about the medicine we are taking. When we are prescribed something, we never really question what the medicine really is; we just want it to work.
This article is about the global issue pharmaceutical companies are constantly getting into scrutiny about. With the universal healthcare being one of the most important topics being discussed by the new president, medication is one of the hot subtopics.
Prescription drugs are ridiculously expensive nowadays especially if you are not covered by health insurance. It’s hard for us middle class to afford with insurance, so how does the poor who often need more medical help afford the same medical treatment? This article writes about the issues of pharmaceutical drugs and if the expensive prices that comes with it goes to the actual research of the product. It is said that many drug companies spend a lot of their money into marketing their product. This makes a lot sense because we are looking at the business aspect of it. But, if the money goes to marketing, they are cutting short on the other areas that are important. Many companies have been accused of unethical behavior such as not enough research, favorable results, and even using human guinea pigs without letting the experimented know. Although there are many “public announcements” about donating to third world countries, many drugs have been found expired or close to the expiration date. Even though these poor countries have brought up the issue to make prescription drugs affordable by using generic or use tools that are available to help with the pricing, companies are working harder to patent their product so they can’t make generic medicines. We just learned in our nursing class that drugs can be patented for a certain amount of time and then other brands are allowed to make the generic version of the product. That’s why many generic versions are just as good as the name brands because they are using the same ingredients, just under a different name.
Joseph Stiglitz made a great comment which basically said that drug companies yield their marketing to those who can afford it. They make “lifestyle drugs” more than “life saving drugs.” I can’t believe how hard this quote hit me. It is true with all the different “mood” drugs out there why aren’t their more on saving lives that are affected with diseases? Besides the fact that the poor won’t be able to afford them, but isn’t it ethical to help those that need it the most? I’m not saying the psychological problems aren’t diseases? It just seems like they are researching more on those types of problems than those who could help save an epidemic.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/52/pharmaceutical-corporations-and-medical-research#Distortingdrugtrialstohighlightpositiveoutcomes