Prescription Drugs

In this society, most Americans use some type of prescription drug. According to this week chapter reading:

“More than 80 % of U.S. adults use some form of medication, with 50 % taking a drug prescribed by a doctor. The average American fills 11 prescriptions per year spending approximately $ 771 annually (Gentzen, p. 245, 2007).”

This is a true statement because I am one of those Americans who depend on prescription drugs. I have a seizure disorder that doctors have not found what cause me to have seizure. Without medication, I can have a seizure. So now I have become what society has called “addicted” to prescription drugs, when I go too long without medication, I can have a seizure at any given time. So I am glad that my team has chosen this topic to discuss. We talk about The History of Prescription Drugs, Drugs Addicts, and The steps that we believe that could be used to make a change to the present system.

Prescription drugs are medicine regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. The term prescription drug is used separate from over-the-counter drugs that can be purchased without a prescription. In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act determines what requires a prescription. When obtaining a prescription, a person will also receive a pamphlet explaining the drug and helpful information about the effect of the drug and how it affects the body. It also describes side effects, how the drug should be taken and includes warnings about allergies. Some prescription drugs asked that the patient do not operate machinery when taking the medication, which also includes driving a motor vehicle. Additionally, some medications require that you consume some food before taking the medications, because of the fact that it can cause an upset stomach.

In recent years, large retailers in the U.S. who operate pharmacies and pharmacy chains used inexpensive generic drugs to lure customers in the stores. Some chains include WalMart, Target, and several others. In today’s economy, most customers are not able to afford the prescriptions at its regular price and therefore, have to opt for the generic brand if it is available. In some cases, the prescription is not available in the generic form and they either have to avoid purchasing the prescription or take the money that they had for a bill or some other important obligation to get the medicine. Pursuant to this week’s readings, it states:

“Usually, the patient takes the prescription to the local pharmacy, where a licensed pharmacist fills the prescription. Pharmacists provide additional information about how to take the drug and its potential side effects. If the drug has been in use for a time, the original patent period may have expired, and there is apt to be a generic drug available. The generic version is an FDA-approved drug that is identical in chemical composition to the brand-name drug but that is produced by a competitor and usually sold for a much lower price” (Gentzen, p. 246, 2007).

The expiration date on prescriptions specifies that the manufacturer guarantees full potency and safety of the drug. Most medications are potent and safe after the date. The results reflected that 90% of the medications are safe and effective as far as 15 years past the date. It has been a routine for many to look on the prescription bottle for the date the bottle indicates as the expiration date. Most people, by habit discontinue the medication because the date has passed and are stuck with the impression the medication is no longer any good.

Humans have used drugs for many years for medical conditions and pleasure. According to G H Rehab.org (2002) “The majority of human societies throughout history have practiced recreational drug use in various forms. Probably the best known example of a recreational drug is alcohol, which most cultures have manufactured in one form or another. As with any drugs, some recreational drugs are addictive, most harmful to one’s health, and some are illegal in most places (para 14)”.

The eHow website stated, (1999-2010) “In the 19th century, active substances in drugs were first extracted. These included morphine, laudanum and cocaine. The sale and use of the drugs was largely unregulated by the law (Para 1).” During the civil war cocaine and heroin also being used without a prescription as well as to treat medical conditions. Because of lack of knowledge, doctors back then prescribed medication that contained different elements that were unregulated. This caused patients to become addicted to the prescription drugs. Patients did not have any warning signs of the elements in the medication.

Today, FDA requires that prescription drugs have warning about side effects that will occur or may occur while taking the drug. The Food and Drug Administration has a process in which each drug must go through before it can be used by the public. If there are any concerns that the entire process will have to start over. Once the drugs are put on the market and distributed to the pharmacies, doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, psychologists and optometrists are the medical professionals who are authorized by the government to prescribe drugs to patients.

According to Nora D. Volkow, M.D., the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, non-medical use or the abuse of prescription drugs is serious and growing health problem in the United States. The most effected, surprisingly, is the elderly because they are prescribed more medication than children and young adults.

First solution to this problem would be to make the community aware about the dangers of the abuse or the addiction of prescription drugs through pamphlets, websites, and other educational material. Ray Bullman, of the National Council for Patient Information and Education, developed a concept of the medical education team that will allow the physician and the pharmacist to work together with the patient to get an understanding of their medications.

The second solution to this problem of abuse or addiction is to treat the patient’s behavior. Behavioral treatments teaches individual addicted how to function without the drug, how to deal with the cravings, how to avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, how to prevent relapses and how to handle relapses when it occurs. Another behavioral approach or treatment is a cognitive-behavioral intervention that focuses on modifying the individuals thinking, expectations and behaviors while increasing their skills for coping with life stressors. When these treatments are done effectively, the treatments will help the individuals to improve personal relationship and have the ability to function at work as well as in the community.

Finally, pharmaceutical treatments counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior. Medication is used to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal, to treat an overdose or to overcome the drug cravings. Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach may be effective for treating drug addiction, research shows that, at least in case of opioid addiction, a combination of both is most effective (Achieve Solutions, 2010).

Prescription Drugs are regulated by legislations and are required to obtain a prescription before it can be obtained. The term prescription is used to separate over-the-counter drugs. Any prescription has helpful information, describing side effects, and warnings about allergies. Giving very detail instructions on how many should be taken a day, not to operate with machinery and ever to consume with food. Most of the times taken to your local pharmacists, who provides additional information if needed. Sometimes prescriptions drugs are not affordable but can be obtained with insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid. These insurances are making an impact on the American people who can’t always afford and the pharmaceutical market. Prescriptions drug have been becoming more convenient for some who can now buy them in local shopping centers. Prescriptions drugs have helped to keep the American people healthy and strong.

References

Gentzen, T. Moore J. (2007). Wiley Pathways Health Care Economics (1st ed). John

Wiley & Sons

eHow, Inc. (1999-2010). History of Presciption Drug . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5449380_history-prescription=drugs-abuse.html

G H Rehab.com. (2002). History of Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.drug-rehabs,org/drughistory.php

Volkow, N.D. (2009). Research report: prescription drug abuse and addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/Prescription.html

Achieve Solutions. (2010). Treating prescriptions drug addiction. Retrieved from http://www.achievesolutions.net/archievesolution/en/providers/content.do?contentId=7029