Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

D.J.McRae — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 07:17:17 GMT

I agree that the figure is probably understated. Haven't read Gary Null's take on it, but I think this quote from the article is indicative:
" ... and most drug poisonings result from the abuse of prescription and illegal drugs (2)"
If they only measure "abuse", or illegibly written prescriptions, then they are only measuring "drug mistakes" or "drugs taken in wrong doses".
I seem to remember reading a study that showed that "drug errors" were only the tip of the iceberg of deaths from medical drugs. "Drug non-errors" were the greatest cause of death and injury. In other words drugs taken exactly as doctors are supposed to prescribe them are the biggest killer.
Perhaps that is what Null is talking about, and maybe another poster can recall studies that looked at the difference between drug taking in "error" and in "non-error".

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Leesh — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:34:26 GMT

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but it really is in all of our hands. We must educate the ignorant. They may not always listen, but somewhere down the line they might get it. Unfortunately people feel safest listening to their doctor. They don't see all the band aids they've accumulated over the years...they just want quick relief (aka another pill). What happens though is they get sicker so they think they need more medication.
People know to an extent that they are what they eat. Yet, they think it's too hard &/or expensive to eat right. I've found the opposite to be true. It's much less expensive than eating out. When I tell people what I've learned, they do have at least some interest. Though, many want to discuss it with their doctor first! When I tell them I shop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, they think I must be rich (not true). They think it's weird to clean with baking soda and vinegar (how could it possibly be clean without all the chemicals?). They don't understand why I cringe when they offer me preservative, sugar filled, hydrogenated oiled food. They may not understand, but they notice. Hopefully they will notice not only what I do or don't consume but the results of my choices.
I think it comes down to the fact that we must all become educators. We've got to reach out and refer them to good resources such as Dr. Mercola. I've emailed many articles off this site to people. They are a bit overwhelmed by it, but when they have a health question they ask, "What does that doctor say about this or that".
It is so wonderful to have alternatives to drugs. The main objective is to prevent sickness by watching what we intake. Whether it's food, supplements, drugs, cosmetics, water or cleaning supplies. It is great to learn how to better take care of the body God has given us & the earth we inhabit. Thanks Dr. Mercola and all of you who are determined to make a difference!

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Verleen — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:27:07 GMT

I began taking myself off of many of my prescription meds back in 2004 after reading Dr. Mercola and articles in medical journals. At that time, I was taking Lipitor for about 10 yrs. During 2003 and 2004, I saw my doctors many times complaining of memory loss, muscle pain and increasing weakness (to the point of not being able to walk), getting lost driving just a few miles from my home, depression that was getting worse and worse no matter what new antidepressant was prescribed, dark brown urine, and on and on. On my last visit to this doctor, after listening to all these complaints, she told me that my bloodwork was perfect and to continue with the Lipitor. I replied that if it was so perfect, then why do I feel like I am dying? That was the beginning of my research and I found Dr. Mercola. I discontinued Lipitor and the antidepressant (to prepare for the new one being prescribed) began taking Carlson's cod liver oil (2 T a day to start). In one week, I was depression free! And never filled the new script for the new antidepressant. It took longer for my other symptoms to improve, but they did improve. I believe that Dr. Mercola saved my life. I was taking a tray of presciption meds and now I'm only taking meds for my diabetes.

However, there is a downside to some extent. I cannot find a family doctor. When I refuse to take a prescription med, they tell me to find a new doctor because I won't follow their instructions. At the present time, I do have an endocrinologist for my diabetes.

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Dr. David Spitz — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:26:24 GMT

For years I have been warning my patients about the danger of taking unnecessary drugs. Currently the US consumes what amounts to 11 prescriptions for every man, woman and child. This is insane.

Our lifestyle choices have created a society that is overweight, type 2 diabetic, have cardiovascular disease are depressed, anxious and have kids with ADHD. Only when we take responsibility for our own health will we be free of most meds. Sadly, most Americans don't even know that the number one cause of death in this country is medical treatment.

I encourage EVERYONE to watch the Town of Allopath .the video on Dr. Mercola's home page.

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Josh Rubin — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:58:10 GMT

The most interesting thing about drugs is this: I deal with a lot of chronic dysfunctional people within my practice. A lot come in on many Rx drugs, as well as having numerous symptoms that are unexplainable. When I research those drugs using Mosby's Drug Reference, a lot of the aches, pains and symptoms that they are complaining about are the side effects of the meds.

Now I am not saying or telling anyone to go off meds. But I am asking you to take a good look at what you are putting into your mouth. Think: if went to an MD because of a symptom, he gives you meds that cause more symptoms, where did the first symptom come from? A lot of the time it is due to what we put down our throats. So, are meds the answer or just altering diet and lifestyle?

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Russ Bianchi — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:45:30 GMT

It does not take an MD to figure out that the unpublished, suppressed, hidden, BAD & LETHAL side effects of many drugs, their excipients (bulking components), or combinations that are unanticipated, between more than one drug(s), or food, or beverages, are a "clear and present danger" to human health, that is outstripping actual HYPED benefits, from the pharmaceutical manufacturers, and their sales forces, seeking PROFIT.

Just yesterday, there was a report on a new cancer fighting "therapeutic", which is considered a "block buster", already having earned a biotech/pharma firm over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in revenue, and Wall Street thinks it will be many BILLION$ more. The drug costs more than $30,000 per single dosage treatment (not including hospital or doctor's bills).

The patient interviewed given it, has indeed been saved from acute brain cancer, but requires 2 treatments per month (at least $60 grand) & the insurance carrier is refusing to pay the cost, defining the wonder drug as: "experimental".

For those of you who have not read my comments of a few days ago, "experimental" &"noncompliant", are the new phraseology of the medical insurance carriers, that already have not canceled high cost patient's policies for critical care situations (which are less than 2% of what these insurance pimps and usuaries collect in total revenue actuarially) by letting them twist in the wind.

According to the report, this anticancer brand, the FTC is looking into, as characterized by MD's interview, "unjustifiable pricing structure", is what most common folks would call: RAPE pricing.

When there is no perceived competition, oligopolies can do what they want, & generally get away with it.

However, if the consumers wise up, in many, not all, instances, you can save your health for much less money.

re: Accidental Deaths Due to Prescription Drugs on the Rise

LM36 — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:46:47 GMT

A drug by any other name is still a drug! Synthetic drugs alter your mind and body chemistry, period. Listen to your body, the side effects are trying to tell you something. Whatever ails you is not a result of a pharmaceutical deficiency. Drugs should only be used as a last resort and during critical situations. The truth will eventually win over the false claims of the drug companies. Western medicine is only good for one thing, emergencies. Why is heart disease so rampant yet most Americans are taking statins? Talk about dollars being literally flushed down the toilet, polluting our precious environment. The sheeps' wool is being plucked, one drug at a time, to expose the wolf that is Big Pharma! Spread the truth, Mercola.com