Do you know anyone unfamiliar with the phrase “ambulance chaser?” The phrase has historically been applied to the solicitous practice of attorneys pursuing injury and illness clients via all conceivable media. Pharmaceutical companies have joined the practice by direct marketing their products to the television audiences, disease mongering.

 

If during commercials all information were shared at the same rate of speed, it would be apparent that the companies spend more time discussing side effects of the medications compared to the expected benefits of the products. Just a disquieting is the fact that had they managed to the doctor’s office, they come bearing lunch, small gifts applicable to service delivery (e.g., pens) and samples of their products. Unfortunately, via television you pay to watch them without the benefit of the little perks.

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Although some people may be earnestly encouraged to seek appropriate help via this approach, most are being encouraged to trying medicines not actually needed. As an example, consider “ED” drugs, most receiving these prescriptions are receiving it for “recreational” benefit and physicians are simply collaborative with the popular billion-dollar market that these drugs have fostered.

 

I recently met an older gentleman who during our conversation stated “I hope that I don’t develop hives; itching; difficult respiration; chest tightness; swelling of the face, and oral structures including lips and tongue; chest pain; syncope; abnormal cardiac rhythm; memory loss; myofascial pain in arms or legs; muscular weakness; persistent and painful erection; tinnitis; seizures; prolonged dizziness; paroxysmal loss of hearing; sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes while waiting for my four hour erection to subside,” as he read the package insert. He didn’t, but thanks to the pharmaceutical companies, he is now part of the population with the fastest rising incidence of new STD cases, senior citizens.

 

Contact us with comments, questions and special interests.

Originally published here.

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Douglas

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www.baileygalyenpharmaceutical.com Pharmaceutical Litigation Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen specialize in drug litigation arising from injury as a result of prescription drugs or defective medical devices including Gadolinium, Ketek, Zelnorm , Hydroxycut , Accutan, Avandia, Mirapex, Neurontin, Oxycontin, Paxil, Sulzer Hip Implants, Prempro, Reglan, Risperda, Seroquel, Tequin, Trasylol, Viagra, Xolair, Zyprexa, Celebrex.