Vegas Buzz

from DR. MOHAMMAD SHAMI'S Blog

The US consumes the most medicines per capita of population of any nation in the world. On a monthly basis, about 130 million Americans (practically half of the population of the country) by one method or another take a number of preparation drugs regularly, reports the Associated Press. 

The studies, conducted by different experts, including specialists of the Center for control and averting of
diseases (CDC) attest to the fact that people in the US intensely try to ”heal” themselves.  However,.about 125 thousand Americans perish yearly from the side effects of medicines, the fourth leading cause of death preceded only by diseases of the heart, oncologic pathology and strokes. (SEE VIDEO). The volume of Big Pharma sales last year reached 250 billion dollars - equivalent to the total income of all service stations and convenience stores in America.  According to the estimations of administration for foodstuffs and medicines (FDA), the overwhelming majority of these preparations - are not new, only slightly changed from the old. In 2007 such drugs proved to be three fourths of those approved for administration. Thus, drug companies go “along the tried-and-true path,” using old, well working trade marks.

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Let us recall that according to information released by the FDA, the past year saw the discovery of a record quantity of side effects - in 2007 more than 422,500 reports about different side effects of various drugs (in 2006 reports these side effects numbered 370887). The experts connect this increase precisely with an increase in the quantity of prescription drugs consumed, but not with the growth of the danger.

SOURCE:Lexapro’s Weblog from DR. MOHAMMAD SHAMI