Seven Toxic Effects of Drug Companies
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Other.
Seven Harmful Impacts of Pharmaceutical Companies
Summary:
While aiming to please shareholders, pharmaceutical companies often engage in practices that can negatively impact patients.1. Manipulating Drug Lifecycles
It's curious how certain drugs become "obsolete" just as their patents expire. For instance, Abbott transitioned from Depakene to Depakote, and then to Depakote ER, as patents ran out. Similarly, GlaxoSmithKline's Wellbutrin evolved to Wellbutrin SR and then Wellbutrin XL. This pattern ensures that newer, more expensive variations replace older, well-functioning drugs.2. Overlooking Effective Older Drugs
Since the 1950s, older anti-psychotic medications have efficiently treated schizophrenia. However, the 1990s brought a wave of new "atypical" anti-psychotics, overshadowing cheaper, generic options. New psychiatrists often avoid prescribing these older drugs, despite studies like CATIE showing minimal differences in efficacy compared to newer options.3. Ignoring Non-Drug Therapies
Pharmaceutical companies focus solely on selling medications, neglecting non-drug treatments with proven benefits. There are no representatives advocating for methods like stress management for headaches or cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression, which can be equally effective.4. Encouraging Dependence on Samples
Doctors often receive samples of high-cost, patented drugs, not their cheaper generic counterparts. This practice subtly directs patients towards more expensive options through "loss-leader" marketing.5. Influencing Medical Practice
Pharmaceutical companies court influential figures in the medical community with financial incentives, subtly shaping medical practices. For instance, while tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) presents modest benefits and real risks, the persuasion from thought-leaders makes it seem indispensable, disregarding informed clinical judgment.6. Promoting Unapproved Drug Uses
Sales representatives sometimes promote drugs for non-approved uses, crossing ethical and legal boundaries. For example, pregabalin is officially approved for epilepsy and nerve pain, yet has been marketed for migraines, echoing past controversies like the off-label promotion of gabapentin.7. Limiting Physicians' Prescribing Choices
This isn't strictly the fault of drug companies, but their exclusive promotion of expensive, branded drugs often leaves doctors less aware of more affordable or effective alternatives.---
By Gary Cordingley (2006)
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