The need for the cost of medicine to go down

The rise in the cost of medicine is a pain that's felt by most people except pharmaceutical companies. Even with top government leaders promising a drop in the cost of medicine, the prices only go higher and higher, with consumers sinking in deeper and deeper healthcare debt. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Drug manufacturers rarely take the blame for the price hike. Instead, they point it out to the list price, or the amount usually reduced by additional payments to middlemen like pharmacies, which only benefit officials and health insurance companies. Patients are no strangers to this practice. The increase hit their wallets as their insurance deductibles reset every beginning of the year, which would require them to pay for their medicine straight out of their pockets. Margaret L. Salmon.

One would think that the answer to the problem is generic medicine. However, manufacturers of generic drugs don't help the case. In 2015, a recall for 257 generic drug products was made as they were either hard to dissolve, outright fake, or contaminated. Pharmaceutical firms utilize strategies that help them monopolize the industry. Before seeing a drop in the cost of medicine, government and business leaders must first develop policies that prevent pharmaceutical companies from becoming monopolies. Margaret L. Salmon.

Leaders must put a stop to restrictive distribution programs for generic drug manufacturers to conduct bioequivalence studies on sample medications. Pay-for-delay agreements should not be entertained and must be eliminated to enable generic competition to develop drug products for less. Margaret L. Salmon.

Here’s what skipping medication can do to the body

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Margaret L. Salmon. Millions of Americans take prescribed maintenance medication, usually for pain relief and to prevent common diseases. However, the rising costs of medication has led patients to split their medicines or to skip it altogether. What can the skipping of doses do to the body?

Not taking medicines as prescribed can be more harmful to the body. For chronic diseases such as Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and others, not taking medication at the right time can affect the proper functioning of the organs. For anti-allergy and respiratory treatments, following the schedule is important to prevent symptoms such as blocked airways. Those who are taking pain-relief medication for chronic pain, missing the required dose can cause physical discomfort and hinder them from going about their usual routine. Making a habit out of missing maintenance medications can lead to complications. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Other medications, when not taken later might not be as effective when taken at the suggested time, such as in arthritis medications. When it comes to antibiotics, not following the schedule might delay the healing process. Each medication has a different effect on the body. While some medicines can be skipped and taken the next time, there are medicines patients should take as soon as they realize their mistake. To avoid missing doses, experts suggest taking these meds at the same time each day. Margaret L. Salmon.

Doctors and pharmacists suggest that patients inquire about their prescription. Studies show that the majority of patients do not know what they're supposed to do when they skip medication. Not following the schedule can have negative effects on the body or slow down treatment. With the rising prices of medicines and other concerns, people shouldn't hesitate to ask a healthcare provider about possible alternatives that will allow them to get the required dosage for a more affordable price. Margaret L. Salmon.

What are the most expensive prescription drugs in America?

It’s no secret that the United States has some of the most expensive prescription medications in the world. This is because unlike other governments, the U.S. government allows drug manufacturers to put whatever price tag they want on any prescription drug. Other governments actively negotiate to lower the prices of certain drugs, especially those which are vital to certain conditions like diabetes, cancer, or even severe allergies. Because of the free pricing of drugs in the U.S., it has led to some expensive prescription medication. Here are some of the most expensive drugs in America today. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Myalept (metreleptin) is currently the most expensive prescription drug in the country at $64,895. The package contains 14 vials and is used to treat a rare disease, which causes leptin deficiency in patients with acquired or congenital lipodystrophy. Even with its price tag, this medicine is not a cure for the disease. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Ravicti is the second most expensive drug, which goes for $52,756 for 11 vials. The drug is used to treat a genetic condition called urea cycle disorder, which results in high levels of ammonia in a person’s blood. Leaving the disease untreated can lead to confusion, comatose state, or even death. Margaret L. Salmon.

Actimmune is an approved medicine used to treat osteopetrosis and granulomatous disease, a disease that causes the immune system to malfunction. This drug costs $47,962 and comes in 11 single-use vials and is taken three times a week on average.

What makes these drugs so expensive is that they treat the rarest of rare conditions. Drug manufacturers have to pour a lot of funding in terms of researching for these drugs while on the production side of things, they can’t produce as much because very few people have the diseases these products manage. And while these products have exorbitant prices, health insurance can play a big part in reducing the prices of these drugs. Margaret L. Salmon.

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For thousands of years, people have been going to doctors to seek treatment for their ailments. And as early as 3,500 years ago, the Egyptians have been keeping written descriptions of medical treatments. It is believed that even before that, shamans and healers were already treating ill and injured patients with natural remedies. Margaret L. Salmon.

Over the recent decades, doctors and researchers found out that past remedies were doing more harm than good to patients. For instance, prescribing tobacco to treat asthma proved to be one of the biggest mistakes that doctors made in the 20th century. And there are various reasons for physicians to prescribe ineffective remedies. In the past, people would instead do something about their illness than nothing at all. It caused them to look for remedies that have not been tested. Margaret L. Salmon.

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The placebo effect may be the culprit for some cases. For some people, the belief in the power of treatment often makes them feel better. Doctors learn what works and what doesn’t by performing accurate scientific diagnoses, which then help them evaluate the treatments they give to patients. Medical trials done to a large number of people or sample size can help doctors determine the effectivity of the treatment. Margaret L. Salmon.

The science of medicine requires more than just belief in a treatment as established by the principle behind medical trials. In determining effective treatments, several factors must be eliminated. These factors are eliminated by blinding, a method used to prevent the issues of the placebo effect, and double blinding is one step further . Margaret L. Salmon.

How does the human body process medicine?

Medicines, which come in different forms, are important in keeping the body healthy against diseases. Even if ingesting medication seems simple, what happens inside the body is an elaborate process that involves different organs. Margaret L. Salmon shares how these remedies work inside the body. Pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that studies how drugs move within the body. For those who want to remember, ADME stands for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Here's a brief explanation of the process.

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Absorption

Margaret L. Salmon explains that different forms of medication are also taken to the bloodstream in different ways. Most oral medicines are absorbed in the small intestines while others in the stomach before it is regulated in the bloodstream. Intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, or intravenous drugs are absorbed via the skin and lungs.

Distribution

The molecules found in common medications are often distributed through the bloodstream. In this process, the drug can take effect beyond the targeted part, which leads to side effects. However, Margaret L. Salmon explains that not all molecules can cross the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB), which protects the nervous system from experiencing side effects.

Metabolism

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The liver is crucial in processing the chemicals found in medicines. During this step, the substances are turned into enzymes that integrates into the body to take effect. Depending on the person's physique, the time spent by the body processing enzymes could vary.

Excretion

Once the body has processed the drug, it has to be removed from the system. The chemicals leave the body naturally through tears, sweat, breath, saliva, urine, and bowel movement. If medication isn't properly eliminated from the body, it can cause drug toxicity.

A look at the effects of opioids and other dangerous drugs

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While the United States is still tight in a battle against the opioid epidemic that started two decades ago, the U.S. government has taken some major steps in restricting access to these extremely addictive prescription drugs. However, the combined efforts of the government as well as the numerous law enforcement bodies all around the country are not enough to win the long, drawn-out battle against drug addiction in the country. Margaret L. Salmon.


Many observers and historians believe that education and awareness are key factors, especially in keeping the younger generations safe and away from drugs. Margaret L. Salmon.
On that note, here are two of the more common addictive drugs making their rounds in society, and their dangerous effects.

Opioids

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Almost nobody back in the ‘90s thought that opioid use would get out of hand. However, with over-prescription and easy access to drugs, patients had no control in obtaining and overusing prescription medications. Aside from addiction, other effects of overusing opioids include, sedation, vomiting, dizziness, respiratory problems, and constipation. Margaret L. Salmon.

Ecstasy

Quite popular with the younger crowd, ecstasy, otherwise known as E (or at times X), is a designer drug that has claimed a number of lives over the years. The drug mixes hallucinogenic effects with that of stimulants, creating a more vibrant experience for users. It is also an aphrodisiac. The danger with E is that it’s easy to take a lot and overdose on it. Margaret L. Salmon.

Opioid addiction: Treatment and options

With the opioid epidemic hitting the U.S. in recent years, Americans have to be more cautious than ever about the medicines they take. This is easier said than done, especially if people consider that the root cause of all of this is chronic pain. A growing percentage of patients suffering from chronic pain who were prescribed opioids fall into dependency and addiction. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Fortunately, healthcare professionals and experts have come up with several treatments and options that are multi-faceted to deal with both chronic pain and the potential dependency on its medication.
Medical experts are approaching chronic pain the same way other chronic conditions are approached. For example, the conditions of diabetes or asthma have psychological and biological factors that trigger them. It is the same with chronic pain. Margaret L. Salmon.

One of the most important things that doctors do with patients suffering from chronic pain is to review the medical history thoroughly. Some conditions may be linked to chronic pain, and the management of this chronic pain may actually coincide with the management of these prior conditions. Margaret L. Salmon.

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Another important facet in the treatment of chronic pain and prevention of opioid dependency also lies in the consistent meetings between doctor and patient. Monitoring a patient’s condition can considerably lessen the need to take opioids, which will only be prescribed as needed.
It should be noted that chronic pain can only be managed, and opioid dependency can be prevented. Margaret L. Salmon.