How Deadly Medications Reach the Market

The FDA’s approval process is not perfect, in fact it is far from it. They make their decisions based on reports and studies conducted or funded by pharmaceutical companies. These companies decide what reports and findings to submit to the FDA. The pharmaceutical companies and their subsidiaries decide how to conduct the tests. Before we cover the 10 deadliest prescription medications, there are some important aspects to keep in mind to minimize risks.

The FDA itself does not conduct tests, that is not its function. There are also no set standards as to how the test must be conducted, thus a wide number of discrepancies concerning risks and safety of marketed medications can exist. The trial periods are never long enough to fully comprehend the effects of long term usage.

The FDA approval process only determines whether or not a medication can be sold and marketed, While that is meant to indicate a reasonable margin of safety, it does not mean the medication will maintain the overall health of users, be without side effects or even be effective for every individual. That responsibility is up to the prescribing physician, who unfortunately often assumes, like the average consumer, that FDA approval means it is safe to prescribe. While pharmaceutical companies spend billions advertising to consumers and physicians, no doctor can accurately predict how any given medication will interact with an individual.

It is somewhat naive to believe because a medication has been approved to be marketed and a physician recommends treatment based on knowledge primarily provided by the pharmaceutical companies who funded the testing, one can freely consume medication without a fair amount of personal responsibility. While it is up to the physician to prescribe correct dosages, the consumers must take primary responsibility to use medications appropriately.and to monitor their body and mental states and report any changes to their physician.

There is an old saying “Physician health thyself.” If doctors need to be in charge of their own health, so do consumers. No amount of medication will over ride negligence or unhealthy life style choices.

This unfortunately is not a popular mind set. Many assume physicians are in charge of health. Even though the medical community freely hints at this idea and some in the health industry would like this to be true, the over all health, life style and well being of an individual is a responsibility of the individual, one they must actively engage in.

Medications can be deadly

Listed below are the ten deadliest prescription medications. They are ranked by number of deaths attributed to these drugs between the years of 1998 – 2005. The ranking does not take into account any side effects these medications produce. The top ten deadliest prescription medications are all painkillers, immune system modulating and anti-psychotic drugs. While these medications can be helpful, anyone taking these prescription medications needs to realize they are powerful and use them with vigilance and caution.

Make certain every doctors you interact with has a full understanding of all medications your are using; it may be critical. Patients seeing multiple doctors often forget to give complete data. No one wants to be on medication, but you can minimize the risks. The primary interest of pharmaceutical company’s is to make money. Pharmaceutical company’s will not take responsibility for your health, so it is up to you to stay well informed and communicate with your doctor.

There always alternatives to long term usage, including those dealing with anxiety and OCD issues.

	Source: Moore TJ et al., Serious Adverse Drug Events Reported to the Food and Drug Administration, 1998-2005, Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept. 10., 2007; 167 (16): 1752-1759