Drug and Medication, Research Paper Example

“Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals can help prevent many serious health complications by initiating conversations with their patients about the importance of taking medication as directed. This is especially important for people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure, who may have a number of medicines to take each day” (O’Neill, p.1)

“Nearly three out of four Americans report that they do not always take their medication as directed, a problem that causes more than one-third of medicine-related hospitalizations, nearly 125,000 deaths in the United States each year, and adds $290 billion in avoidable costs to the health care system annually” (O’Neill, p.1)

“Poor adherence to prescribed medication is associated with reduced treatment benefits and can obscure the clinician’s assessment of therapeutic effectiveness. Nonadherence is thought to account for 30% to 50% of treatment failures. Nonadherence leads to worse medical treatment outcomes; higher, avoidable hospitalization rates; institutionalization for the frail elderly; and increased healthcare costs” (Wroth & Pathman, p.480).

Healthcare professionals can increase the effectiveness of patient adherence to the drugs and medication.

• Improve the convenience of scheduling appointments, referrals, refills
• Remind patients to refill early
• Install interactive voice response systems
• Manage compliance-linked financial incentives
• Provide at home self-management programs
• Provide counseling, repeated monitoring and feedback
• Use automated telephone or computer-assisted patient monitoring
• Use manual telephone follow-up
• Deliver appointment and prescription refill reminders
• Send patient mailings that reinforce medication taking (Smith et al., p. 479).

“The benefits of medicines are that they can improve your health and well-being by doing what they were designed for, like treating a disease, curing infection, or relieving pain. The risks are the chances that something unwanted or unexpected will happen when you use medicines. Unwanted or unexpected symptoms or feelings that occur when you take medicine are called side effects” (Side Effects, np)

“Currently, doctors typically prescribe antidepressants on a trial-and-error basis, selecting or adding one antidepressant after another when a patient fails to respond to the first treatment. Rarely does a clinician switch to an empirically proven psychotherapy like cognitive behavior therapy after a patient fails to respond to medication, although these data suggest this might be just the right strategy” (Friedman, np).

Cons

“The risks of medicines are the chances that something unwanted or unexpected could happen to you when you use them. Risks could be less serious things, such as an upset stomach, or more serious things, such as liver damage” (Think, np).

“Opioid abuse can create brain changes that lead to addiction. This can happen when a person takes heroin to get high or takes more of a painkiller than has been prescribed by a doctor. Some teenagers and young adults are at greater risk of becoming addicted because of their genes, temperament or personal situation, such as having a mental health disorder or experiencing trauma in childhood” (Medication, p.7).

“While doctors debate what people should be told, many patients with early, mild cases of the neurological side effects of serotonin boosters may go undetected. Instead of diagnosing them early, patients will continue to be exposed to the drugs when this could have been prevented, just as happened with major tranquilizers. Especially in managed care settings, little or no effort is made to periodically reassess whether a patient’s dosage can be reduced or the drug stopped. Instead, the drugs are thoughtlessly prescribed year after year” (Glenmullen, np).

“Each year, about 4.5 million Americans visit their doctor’s office or the emergency room because of adverse prescription drug side effects. A startling 2 million other patients who are already hospitalized suffer the ill effects of prescription medications annually, and this when they should be under the watchful eye of medical professionals” (Prescription, np).

“The trouble is, far too many hospitals take safety for granted, says Donald Berwick, former administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a pioneer of the patient-safety movement. “There’s a sense that safety’s important,” he says, but the prevailing attitude is ” ‘we’re too busy right now,’ or ‘we can do a few things, but not transformative work.” (Stemberg, np).

Topic

Drugs and Medication, a highly controversial topic because there are many concerns regarding the benefit in contrast to the potential side effects and additions that coincide with drugs and medication.

Title

Drug and Medication a Real solution that can Cause Real Issues

Introduction

A soldier is deployed for a tour in Afghanistan. They are there to not only fulfill the mission that the United States has established, but also to offer protection to the general public. The soldier is wounded when a bomb explodes as the convoy is driving. The soldier is injured badly and is returned to the United States to address the burns and to start rehabilitation. Having burns over fifty percent of his body, he is in excruciating pain. To provide some relief, the doctors prescribe pain medication to allow him to rest and focus on getting better. The doctors disagree with what pain management process would be best for the soldier’s recovery because they are concerned with the risk that he will become dependent upon the pain medication. However, the lead doctor knows that the soldier has a long and very painful road to recovery, and he will monitor the progress and medications used to control his pain. Sacrificing his health and safety to serve the country, the doctor wants to do everything in his power to guide him throughout his recovery with as little pain as possible. Pain medication will provide the soldier with some relief and allow him to focus on his road to recovery.

Side One Positive Arguments

• Drugs and medication provides life-saving treatments for some ailments.
• The provide treatment for short-term illnesses
• Drugs and Medication can offer relief from many different pains and illnesses
• They can take the edge off of the ailments allowing the individual to focus on getting better
• The FDA has approved the drugs and medication for safety and use

Side One Negative Arguments

• Drug and Medication can lead to addiction in many different instances
• There are many instances where drugs and medication are misused
• Drugs and medication pose many different side effects for the users
• The body can build up a resistance to drugs and medication making them ineffective
• Drugs and medication can take some time to get into the system and become effective

Side Two Arguments

• Drugs and medication can offer instant relief allowing the individual to continue on with their lives as normal
• Drug and medication treatments are well-regulated by a healthcare professional
• Healthcare professionals are given many free samples from the drug and medication manufacturers allowing the patient to try it before they spend money it
• There are drugs and medication for a vast variety of mental and physical ailments

Side Two Negative Arguments

• It can take several different medications to find one that serves the purpose.
• Physicians often turn to drugs and medications for quick fixes instead of addressing the root of the issue
• Many drug and medication companies mark up the product for greater profit
• In many cases, patients can get better without depending upon any drugs and medication

The Opinion & Conclusion

Drugs and medications have been designed and created to aid the patient in recovery regardless of those who choose to abuse the products uses in the process. There are many different issues that patient’s face that can be debilitating without having medication to offset the effects of the ailment. With any treatment, there is a very real threat that individuals face if they fail to comply with the limitations of the product. There is no arguing that there are potential negative associated with the use of any medication. However, doctors and health care providers are directing involved when drugs and medication are involved in treatment. Take, for example, the soldier who faced burns over fifty percent of his body. He should not be left to suffer in pain while his burns heal and he faces his long road to recovery. Pain pill addiction is a very real issue; however, the doctors know that proper regulation will prevent the potential that the soldier will be dependent upon pain medication after his recovery is complete.

Drugs and medication are very real solutions to ailments that can otherwise be life threatening. If a child gets strep throat, he needs the medication to combat that very painful illness or it will progress to even more painful and life-threatening illnesses. Regardless of the concerns associated with the medication to fight this illness, few would argue with the course of treatment because it is a proven cure for the sickness. The same can be argued for almost every medication that is available on the market. It does not by any means take away the concerns that are associated with each drug and medication that is available on the market. The cons associated with drugs and medication is strongly based on the misuse and long-term dependencies of using the product. That is a valid argument, but there are many checks-and-balances in place to minimize these associated risks. Regardless of the negative potentials associated with drugs and medication, there is no arguing that they do far more good than the negatives that are argued.

The future of drugs and medication will continue to evolve because it provides cures and relief from many different ailments. The drug and medication market is also very lucrative, providing motivation for individuals to continue with their research and development for new products. There are many different illnesses, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, and many others for which no cure has been found. Imagine finding out you have cancer and being able to take medication and it goes away. Drugs and medication, despite the negatives associated with them, are ways to address and eliminate ailments so that individuals can move on to living their lives. Drug and medication will continue to evolve and provide patients with new options to fix whatever ailments they face.

Works Cited and Other Sources

• Think It Through: Managing the Benefits and Risks of Medicines. S. Food and Drug Administration. 2015. Web. 27 November 2015. (Federal Administration)

The source provides information regarding the benefits and risks associated with the medication. It also sets gives pertinent information as to communicating with pharmacists and health care professionals associated with the risks present in when using the drugs and medication.

• O’Neill, Kerry. S. Surgeon General Joins Baltimore Launch of the National Script Your Future Campaign to Highlight Importance of Taking Medication as Directed. 2 November 2011. Press Release. (Press Release)

The press release provides a valid argument regarding the statistics of medication and the personal importance of compliance with the directives. The doctors explain the potential side-effects and dangers of failing to follow the directives that were agreed upon when giving the prescriptions.

• Wroth TH, & Pathman DE. Primary medication adherence in a rural population: the role of the patient-physician relationship and satisfaction with care. Journal of American Board of Family Medicine, 2006; 19(5): 478-486. Print. (Journal)

The author addresses the statistics of why mediation fails to serve as a treatment option. They argue that compliance is key to drug and medication effectiveness.

• Smith DH, Kramer JM, Perrin N, & et al. A randomized trial of direct-to-patient communication to enhance adherence to beta-blocker therapy following myocardial infarction. Arch Intern Med., 2008; 168(5): 477-483. Print. (Journal)

The authors present the importance of physician and healthcare involvement in patient’s medication treatment. The directions and involvement can improve the outcome of the drugs and medication’s effectiveness.

• Medication-assisted treatment. An eBook for Parents & caregivers of teens & Young adults addicted to opioids. 2014. Print. (Book)

The book provides a look at the dangers associated with youth depending on medication. The effects of certain medication can open the door for dependencies on stronger drugs.

• Glenmullen, Joseph. Prozac Backlash, Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants With Safe, Effective Alternatives. Simon & Schuster Inc., 2010. Print. (Book)

The author discusses real life issues with patients who took certain medications. The serious side effects and how it led to more serious drug usages and dependencies.

• Side Effects. NIH Senior Health. 2014. Web. 26 November 2015. (Website)

The website provides valid information regarding the potential benefits and side effects of drugs and medication. By adhering to directives and taking precautions in using drugs and medication it will prevent potential negative effects.

• Prescription Drug Side Effects. Drug Watch. 2015. Web. 25 November 2015. (Website)

The website provides statistics for the high usage of drugs and medications. It shows the serious side effects that drug and medication can pose to the user.

• Stemberg, Steve. Medical Errors Harm Huge Number of Patients. U.S. News. 28 August 2012. Web. 25 November 2015. (Newspaper)

The article shows how too many physicians fail to inform the patients of the proper usage and dangers of the medication. It is important to educate patients on the proper methods for medication effectiveness.

• Friedman, Richard A. To Treat Depression, Drugs or Therapy? The New York Times. 8 January 2015. Web. 28 November 201. (Newspaper)

The newspaper article shows the effectiveness of the drug on patient care. It shows that many tests are done to ensure the accuracy and proper patient care.

Argument Precedents and Validity

• Federal Law (Congressional) – the U.S. Food and Drug administration and their regulation over the availability and usages for drugs and medication.
• State Laws – regulate doctors and pharmacists and their issues prescriptions to the patients including disclosure of side effects and proper directives to the consumers.
• Common Sense – patients are assumed to use common sense in complying with the directives of the medication. If an individual is underage or unable to have the mental capacity to adhere to common sense of medication, it is given to a caregiver to comply with the directives of the drugs and medication.
• Extenuating Circumstances – doctors and pharmacists take into consideration extenuating circumstances where long-term usage of medication is necessary. They also address extenuating circumstances where medication should not be issued to the patients.
• Individual Freedom – individuals have the freedom to choose not to take drugs and medication for their ailments. The issuance of medication does not mandate the patient to have to take them. They have the individual freedoms to choose alternative routes for their healthcare.
• Changes in the Past and/or the Future – drugs and medication are continually evolving. The past issues may not be relevant in the future because of the improvements of the medication. The studies and current knowledge is always changing, therefore the future of medication will continue to improve over what was available in the past.