More than half of all American adults get at least one prescribed drug each year on a outpatient basis. At least half of these are misused, according to a startling government estimate. They are taken in doses that are too large or too small, or taken at the wrong time or only now and then when the patient remembers or feels unwell. This misuse is dangerous because the drug’s effectiveness depends upon maintaining specific levels in the body over a certain period of time.
Dr. Robert Windom. Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services calls the misuse of prescription medications the “other drug problem”. One not as obvious as the misuse of illegal drugs as heroin or cocaine, but one that is life threatening. More than 225 million potentially dangerous prescription drug incidents occur each year, after resulting in recurring or prolonged illness, avoidable side effects, UN necessary hospitalizations, even deaths. There are an estimated 125,000 deaths a year among heart patients, mainly from misuse of drug that control faulty heart rhythm. Almost half of the patients with glaucoma, asthma or diabetes use their medications incorrectly. The National Council on patient information and education urges the public to get answers to five key questions when taking any medication:
- What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
- How, when and for how long should it be taken?
- What foods, drinks, and other medications and activities are to be avoided while taking the drug?
- What are the side effects and what should a user do about them? 5. Is there written information available about the drug?
One more related question to ask: Is there any alternative to taking the drug?
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1987
