Prescription Drug Analysis

Opiates, such as Oxycontin are prescribed as pain medications to those that are suffering from extreme conditions. It is often prescribed after dental surgeries, and patients suffering from cataracts and other medical conditions that cause the patient to be in an unbearable amount of pain for extended periods of time. Although the drug has proven to reduce pain levels and allow chronically ill patients to be able to go through their day as normally as possible, the fact that they share the same chemical make up as the illegal drug heroin shows that these prescription drugs are just as dangerous and addicting as the street form of the substance. Simply having the drug be prescribed rather than having to find it on the streets does not mean that …show more content…
The three of these men have brought together their expertise in the shared fields of pharmaceuticals and public health to provide the medical field and general public with trustworthy information regarding the dangers of opiate based drugs and the link that they have to addiction in society. However, despite the impressive qualifications of these men, they may still hold some bias towards this particular subject. Both Hagemeier and Gray share a background in pharmaceuticals, which could create a bias in favor of the use of prescription drugs. On the other hand, Pack has a history of serving as a public health official, creating a bias in favor of keeping the public safe against prescription drugs. Given these potential biases, the article provided well balanced arguments both in favor and against the use of prescription …show more content…
Given these backgrounds, the authors are more than qualified to speak on the subject of prescription drugs. However, with the credentials that these authors have comes a significant bias on the subject. As a medical professional, the authors are required to view more of the medical significance of any drug as opposed to the social implications associated with them. The focus is more on the patients needs and less on the potential of abuse from wither the patient themselves or those in close proximity to the patient. For example, the study focuses on the elderly. The likelihood that the elderly patient has a family member come by often and is aware of their medications is very high. With that, the family members now have access to a dangerous drug, and they have no way of being monitored by medical professionals when and if they consume the medication, putting themselves in a highly dangerous