We have an interesting way of informing people about health and medical issues in the United States. Endless advertisements in all media alert us to this illness or that syndrome with lists of symptoms and dire outcomes if untreated or the rapture of relief when treated. This public service is accompanied by beneficent proclamation of a prescription medication that will treat the ailment. The announcement of a treatment comes with urgings to speak to our doctor about that medication followed closely by a hair-raising list of possible side effects.
So, for the susceptible, there are all the questions about the cause of the odd ache or pain possibly with a rush to the crowded doctor’s office. If already on a medication, this raises questions, “am I on the right med or maybe this new one is better.”
If, when you get your medicine, you should actually read the tiny print of the multiple pages of disclaimers, instructions, and alarming side effects, you might be hesitant to take that medication in case your stomach bleeds, heart stops, liver fails, or blood pressure rises.
Then when settled in for your favorite television show or even the morning news, you will be assaulted with this or that law firm telling you to call them for a free consultation if you suffered this side effect or that side effect from your medication. You might be eligible to take legal action!
So, World, how insane is this. In this country people are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars each month for essential medications and health care is a luxury for thousands upon thousands of people. Do we need drug companies spending this kind of money on advertising while at the same time satisfying their legal counsels angst over possible…errr probable litigation when one person out of 100,000 has a severe side effect?
In addition to paying for the development of the drug, we must also factor in the costs of the advertisements, the disclaimers, the legal counsel, the cost of litigation and settlement, and the rising costs of packaging and delivery. Oh, and don’t forget the cost at the dispensing end for the pharmacy to print those disclaimers, manage the communications with the insurance companies, and talk to alarmed patients about taking the medicine and its possible side effects.
The whole thing needs a rethink. Those attorney ads, well, don’t think I have forgotten them. They are worthy of their own post.
