[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

sp

I agree, personal responsibility is the key, but I acknowledge that I have very well educated friends who have a some what "blind spot" when it comes to what their doctor tells them to take. We ARE blessed to have many critically necessary medicines, but it is rather unsettling to hear the never ending TV ads for medications for "diseases" you have never heard of in your life, and most seem to be more "conditions" than diseases, but I split hairs there I fear. It is amazing to have friends, seemingly in good health and well educated, arrive for a visit with a literally case of legally prescribed drugs from their doctor. Have a cousin who actually asked for alternatives for lowering her moderate PB elevation. Her doctor told her nothing has been firmly established to work, that lowing sodium intake is not the answer, and added that behavioral changes are not a solution "because most patients will make them for approximately two weeks before going back to their normal diet and exercise pattern". He ended up giving her 3 separate medications for a MODERATE elevation ! She never filled them and began a search for alternatives. To try to write down the number of ads for prescription medicines in one day on all networks would be impossible ! My personal opinion is it's inappropriate to ADVERTISE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES like cough drops, aspirin, and topical s for scratches and cuts ! Seems inappropriate and out of place, and since they require prescriptions, the ads always say "CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW' and ask for _____ ! In no way am I not grateful for the many medications that have given members of my own family with certain conditions years of additional life, it is the kind of reckless abandon with which many medications are just routinely prescribed. When I do talk about my reserves in this area, I've had friends look at me and say "oh, you're one of THOSE, I had no idea and we've been friends a long time now". I just explain I am not "one of those" at all, I just believe caution should be a normal part of a decision, and personal responsibility HAS to be an element !

I also do NOT believe that the Pharmaceutical Industry should advertise on television. They should ONLY advertise in medical journals.