Posted by Dr. Bob on April 27, 2004, at 21:46:42
In reply to Drug makers deceive doctors « Rick, posted by Dr. Bob on April 26, 2004, at 8:49:02
Posted by Rick on April 26, 2004, at 16:28:46
In reply to Redirect: Drug makers, posted by Dr. Bob on April 26, 2004, at 8:52:24
> It's about drug makers more than drugs.
I respectfully but heartily disagree. It's very much about making informed drug decisions.
The reason I posted this here is not as a putdown of drug companies practices, but as a reminder of another very important consideration to take into account when weighing drug treatment options with one's doctor.
While the ghostwriting aspect is interesting, it's the potential research "spin" aspect that we need to be reminded of. It's a reminder to the patient to gather as much anecdotal evidence as possible (read Psycho-Babble!), and always consider that some drug research -- and all drug advertising -- has a primary goal of profit. (I'm not making a judgement here, just stating *facts* that all should be aware of in seeking optimal drug treatments.)
In fact, my post was largely meant to reinforce what you say near the top of the *medication-related issue* page, namely "Don't necessarily believe everything you hear." As the article points out, "The result is often poorer and less efficient patient care. Industry bias leads to overuse of medication, and particularly overuse of new drugs." This is *very* useful knowledge in making an informed *medication selection*, i.e., don't assume the "latest and greatest" will necessarily work better for you than old off-patent meds, despite the all the hype.
Through various routes, drug-company bias -- whether justified or not -- can filter through to posts, too, especially where people aren't relating their own first-hand experiences.
Information in the article has very practical and direct application to the process of honing in on one's optimal medication therapy.
Rick
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:340123
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040422/msgs/340794.html