I used to think that the system was valid and it just didn't work for me. I used to think that most drugs were good drugs and that I just didn't like the way they worked on me. Lastly, and I think Firstly in most people's assumptions is the idea that Medical Innovation Is Happening Just For You, to take care of you, to turn your frown upside down when you're feeling blue/sick.
Here's a couple of drugs that you probably have heard of:
Prilosec, Nexium, Ome-whatever-azole. All. The. Same. Drug. For vastly different prices.
Is there any quality difference? Nope. Why does your doctor now prescribe Nexium? Because it's the one he got samples of. Why not Prilosec? Because it's cheaper and less competitive and the stopped giving out the samples. The generic happened after Prilosec's copyright wore off. Which is why they "invented" Nexium.
But here's the thing you need to keep track of. These drugs - all three - must get sold. And they must make a profit. So more people must be continually prescribed these drugs. So pharmaceutical reps must keep pushing to find more market share, i.e. tell the doctors that the drug is useful for more and more conditions. And doctors - being busy - accept the company's literature without question.
So maybe you don't have an ulcer - maybe you just have an upset stomach. Take Prilosec! That didn't work. Hmmm. Why don't we try....NEXIUM! Sorta worked? Well, then take Nexium until your insurance runs out and then take the generic but bitch about it because you are sure you are being cheated out of a better therapy.
1 comment:
I think a lot of heartburn is caused by clogged up intestines. Once everything is backed up, the food rises up because it can't go down. There are many other factors but this one is so simple and is the cause of a lot of heartburn prescriptions.
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