An essay published by the Stanford Prevention Research Center in the New England Journal of Medicine is arguing that current drug labeling doesn’t adequately allow consumers to effectively compare two drugs used for the same indication. For example, how would a consumer know whether a new drug is better than one that’s been on the market for years? Currently, the FDA doesn’t require pharmaceutical companies to include statements about how their new products compare with existing treatments. All they are required to do is to show that it performs better than placebo – without harmful side effects. Now, imagine picking up a drug with the following label: “Although this drug has been shown to lower blood pressure more effectively than placebo, it has not been shown to be more effective than other members of the same drug class.” After reading this would you prefer to buy this newer (and likely more expensive) brand-name drug or would you opt for the tried and true generic? The authors argue that this type of labeling can curb the appetite of consumers – and doctors – in always wanting the newest medications, which contributes tremendously to our ever-growing health care costs. [via Medical News Today]
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Tags: drugs, generic, Health Care, labeling, labels, placebo, stanford
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:51 am
SINCE MEDICINE, LIKE MOST EVERYTHING ELSE, IS ABOUT MONEY, PROFFITS FOR DRUG COMPANIES,AND DOCTORS, THEY CERTAINTLY WANT TO PRESCRIBE THE MOST PROFITABLE ONE, KNOWING FULL WELL THE OLD TRIED AND TRUE IN MOST CASES WOULD BE THE GOOD CHOICE.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Yes, I feel they should as long as the cost is not passed on to the consumers.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I had been to a Gastroenterologist due to having problems with intestinal pain, colon pressure, horrible gas pains in my lower back, constipation, and loose bowel; blood clots, as well as horrible pains in my right lower groan area. The doc. said I have to have a colonostomy. And the rults were:
Found growth, clots
And increased eosinophils
This was all caused because I was using Acai berry juice and a daytime/nighttime daily cleanse. The increased “senna” caused the complications. This was advertised by CBS, Oprah, and others as being a good method for loosing weight so I tried it. There is some people that can not increase the senna daily intake because they have adverse responses to it. Thus it caused me to have such problems. I am just trying to let the word out there. That just because something works for someone, it doesn’t mean it works for others. I guess I will just have to stay a plump size 18-20 and be happy. The isn’t a quick fix for losing weight and It took 20 years to put it on and I guess at 40yrs I should be used to it.
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I feel that the consumer/patient should be aware of everything that a drug/medication is made up of (the ingredients…etc.). I agree that especially with how the economy is now, everyone wants medications that will help them get better but not be too expensive at the same time. I myself have a tendency to look for a new medication that might relieve my symptoms and not buy my usual medication. Bottom line, the consumer/patient should have the right to know EXACTLY what the ingredients are that make up the medication they are buying along with any warnings and precautions.
September 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I agree that drug labels need to be reformed too much information out there. How about alife style of eating habits to prevent obesity. I joined Tops almost 20 years ago lost weight and have kept it off for 19 years –portion control–lots of water and excercise –walking-strength training . I am 79 years old happy and healthy and active —thank god—-its worth the time and determination it takes to have a quality of life so far.