With the 2016 presidential election right around the corner, the topic of health care has been on the rise. Although many people are discussing healthcare, not many are talking about the number one contributor to the healthcare system and to the economy: the pharmaceutical industry. This industry is the major economic power in the world and within nations as well. Pharmaceuticals are now shaping the healthcare system and causing a cultural shift towards pills to solve problems. This shift in culture is leading to indiscriminate uses of medication. (Busfield, 2006)
Government oversight is done by the approval of a new drug through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is the most important regulatory body for the world market (Busfield, pg 6). This is because if the United States approves a drug, other countries will be more likely to also approve that drug. The approval process for these new market drugs go through phases. Each phase passed is a phase closer to the consumer’s hands. The pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the FDA to approve of drugs faster which can cause problems for consumers down the …show more content…
Often people take medications for headaches, aches and pains, and other acute medical issues. Prescriptions are also given for medical problems that may be resolved through alternative means without the side effects that come with taking some drugs. An example of this would the very extensive use of antibiotics. Psychotropic medications are another example of this. These medications also have a higher risk of abuse and misuse by consumers. Pills are also frequently manufactured and prescribed by doctors in dosages that are far too high and even if initially necessary, pills are often prescribed for too long. Prescriptions often lessen the need for doctor visits and therefore the prescriptions are not adjusted as frequently as one may
Government oversight is done by the approval of a new drug through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is the most important regulatory body for the world market (Busfield, pg 6). This is because if the United States approves a drug, other countries will be more likely to also approve that drug. The approval process for these new market drugs go through phases. Each phase passed is a phase closer to the consumer’s hands. The pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the FDA to approve of drugs faster which can cause problems for consumers down the …show more content…
Often people take medications for headaches, aches and pains, and other acute medical issues. Prescriptions are also given for medical problems that may be resolved through alternative means without the side effects that come with taking some drugs. An example of this would the very extensive use of antibiotics. Psychotropic medications are another example of this. These medications also have a higher risk of abuse and misuse by consumers. Pills are also frequently manufactured and prescribed by doctors in dosages that are far too high and even if initially necessary, pills are often prescribed for too long. Prescriptions often lessen the need for doctor visits and therefore the prescriptions are not adjusted as frequently as one may