Wasn't sure whether to put this in General Discussions or Current Affairs... so we'll go for here as it's certainly current in the news (or the BBC news anyway)...
[url]BBC News - Lack of drug data 'extreme concern'[/url]
I know it's nothing new to a lot of us on here as we're all fairly aware of how 'big pharma' don't like to be honest about things and are just pushing things for the money, but it's good to see that this is coming more into the awareness of the MP's etc. too, and it's not just us 'alternative'/'complementary' practitioners who are shouting about it. About time they got some of their own medicine ('scuse the pun 😉 ) considering all the times they try and belittle the complementary therapies.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Even more concerning is that often people, esp. elderly people, are on several different drugs at the same time!
Mind you, I think there is a sea change happening. A much greater awareness and acceptance of the benefits of healthy eating / nutrition and alternative therapies.
Even more concerning is that often people, esp. elderly people, are on several different drugs at the same time!
Mind you, I think there is a sea change happening. A much greater awareness and acceptance of the benefits of healthy eating / nutrition and alternative therapies.
As a pharmacist I can tell you many pharmacists are up in arms about what Big pharma do........ I have seen drugs be licensed and then withdrawn because of dangerous life threatening side effects. After Vioxx (Rofecoxib) there is much greater awareness that ALL trial data needs to be published, and pharmacists are very much in favour of this.
Now about old people. yes many will be on 5 or even more drugs. At one time it was propsoed that ALL people over 50 be prescribed a 'polypill' that would contain asprin, a statin, and drugs to treat hypertension. .
I know WHY old people are prescribed so many drugs. It is actually more cost effective for the NHS to put people on the normal combination of drugs because we DO know it prevents cardiac events....and the prevention is cheaper than dealing with the problem if they have a cardiac event. Conventional medicine KNOWS that if people made the lifetstyle changes the drugs wouldn't be needed. Sadly some people don't want to make lifestyle changes.........
I read an article in my professional journal the other day which left me open mouthed. In Scotland something like 10% of patients are on TEN or more drugs.
When I qualified poly pharmacy was frowned on. Now its part of the protocols.............which horrifies me