Prescription drugs have become a significant public health concern, with overtreatment and misuse leading to an alarming number of deaths. The increasing death rate from these drugs is particularly concerning given that many of these fatalities are preventable. The Scale of the ProblemIn 2013, it was estimated that prescription drugs were the third leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease and cancer. By 2015, it was noted that psychiatric drugs alone also ranked as the third leading cause of death. However, some estimates place prescription drugs as the fourth leading cause, based on a 1998 meta-analysis that primarily considered in-hospital adverse drug reactions. This analysis likely underestimates the true extent of the problem since most drug-related deaths occur outside of hospitals and involve complications that are not always correctly attributed to drug use. Underreported and Misclassified DeathsMany deaths linked to prescription drugs are misclassified as natural or unknown causes. This issue is particularly prevalent with psychiatric drugs, where sudden deaths in young patients are often labeled as natural despite known risks of fatal heart arrhythmias from neuroleptics. Similarly, deaths from depression drugs in the elderly, caused by falls and fractures, often go unrecognized as drug-related. Specific Drug Categories and Risks
Increasing PolypharmacyPolypharmacy, the use of multiple medications by a single patient, has been on the rise, especially among the elderly. This trend increases the risk of adverse drug interactions and fatalities. For example, combining benzodiazepines with neuroleptics significantly raises mortality rates. Estimates of Annual Drug-Related DeathsCurrent estimates suggest that over 882,000 deaths in the United States annually can be attributed to prescription drugs. This figure includes hospital deaths, psychiatric drug fatalities, opioid overdoses, and deaths from NSAIDs. These numbers highlight the magnitude of the problem and the urgent need for intervention. The Role of Misguided Regulation and Lack of AwarenessThe pharmaceutical industry's influence on drug regulation has led to more permissive policies, exacerbating the issue. Many deaths could be prevented if drugs were prescribed more judiciously. For instance, neuroleptics and antidepressants often show minimal efficacy in trials, yet they are widely prescribed. Similarly, NSAIDs are commonly recommended despite their significant risks, often without sufficient consideration of safer alternatives. The pervasive issue of prescription drug-related deaths necessitates a reevaluation of current medical practices and regulatory policies. With most of these deaths being preventable, a more cautious approach to prescribing and better awareness of the risks associated with these medications could save countless lives. It is crucial for healthcare providers, regulators, and patients to acknowledge the dangers and work towards safer, more effective treatment strategies. In bed with big pharma: A $12 Billion RelationshipA comprehensive analysis by Yale University researchers has revealed that nearly six in ten doctors in the United States have received over $12 billion in payments from pharmaceutical and medical device companies over the past decade. This study sheds light on the pervasive financial relationships between healthcare providers and the medical industry, highlighting potential conflicts of interest. Key Findings from the Study
Largest Recipients by SpecialtyOrthopedic surgeons topped the list, receiving the highest total sum of payments at $1.36 billion. They were followed by:
most profitable Drugs and Devices
most prescribed drugsEvery day, millions of people in the U.S. take prescribed drugs in an effort to help them live their lives. As our understanding of medicine has evolved, we’ve developed drugs to aid with some of the most common medical conditions—from pain and blood pressure drugs to asthma medication, thyroid treatments, and antidepressants. This analysis uses prescribed medicines data from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, released in 2021 for the 2019 calendar year. It also uses supporting drug and health information from MedlinePlus. Top 10 Most Prescribed Drugs in America (2019)
The most prescribed drug, atorvastatin (sold under the brand name Lipitor), was prescribed to 24.5 million people in the U.S. in 2019, or 7.5% of the population. It was one of many statin medications listed, which are claimed to prevent cardiovascular disease and treat abnormal lipid levels. Prevalent Conditions Treated Most of the top prescribed drugs are used to treat high blood pressure or symptoms of it. This is significant as 108 million, or nearly half of adults in the U.S., have hypertension or high blood pressure.
Combining the total patients for blood pressure and cholesterol medications covers 33% of the U.S. population. Pain and inflammation medications were the most frequent on the top 30 list, prescribed to 13.6% of people. Drug Spending in the U.S.A drug’s total number of patients doesn’t necessarily reflect its importance or cost. For example, levothyroxine, the fourth-most prescribed drug by total patients, was the second-most prescribed by total prescriptions with 102.6 million in 2019 at an average cost of $25.10 per prescription. More specialized medications like fluticasone had fewer total prescriptions (27.9 million) but a higher average cost of $97.68 per prescription. Prices are influenced by factors like demand, patent status, and healthcare system variations. Implications and ConcernsThe study underscores ongoing concerns about financial conflicts of interest in the medical field. Researchers noted that such payments might influence physician prescribing behavior and potentially undermine patient trust in medical professionals. Despite these concerns, the practice of accepting industry payments remains widespread. Data Source and MethodologyThe study utilized data from the Open Payments platform, a national database where drug and medical device companies are required to disclose payments made to physicians. This platform aims to increase transparency and help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare providers. FDA recalls and safety concernsIn a related safety concern, the FDA recalled certain Impella devices in December due to a perforation risk that could cause serious injuries or death. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance regarding the safety of medical devices widely used in clinical practice. ConclusionThis comprehensive analysis by Yale University researchers provides a clear picture of the substantial financial ties between US doctors and the medical industry, emphasizing the need for ongoing scrutiny and transparency. The relationship between healthcare providers and the medical industry is complex and often financially intertwined. While these financial interactions can support medical education and innovation, they also pose significant ethical and practical challenges. Ensuring transparency and addressing potential conflicts of interest are crucial steps toward maintaining the integrity of medical practice and patient trust. referencesGøtzsche PC. Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Health Care. London: Radcliffe Publishing; 2013.
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A turbulent decade for NSAIDs: update on current concepts of classification, epidemiology, comparative efficacy, and toxicity. Rheumatol Int 2012;32:1491-502. Bally M, Dendukuri N, Rich B, et al. Risk of acute myocardial infarction with NSAIDs in real world use: bayesian meta-analysis of individual patient data. BMJ 2017;357:j1909. Bresalier RS, Sandler RS, Quan H, et al. Cardiovascular Events Associated with Rofecoxib in a Colorectal Adenoma Chemoprevention Trial. N Engl J Med 2005;352:1092-102. Blower AL, Brooks A, Fenn GC, et al. Emergency admissions for upper gastrointestinal disease and their relation to NSAID use. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1997;11:283–91. Davis C, Lexchin J, Jefferson T, Gøtzsche P, McKee M. “Adaptive pathways” to drug authorisation: adapting to industry? BMJ 2016;354:i4437. van der Hooft CS, Sturkenboom MC, van Grootheest K, et al. Adverse drug reaction-related hospitalisations: a nationwide study in The Netherlands. Drug Saf 2006;29:161-8. Gøtzsche PC. 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Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, over 13.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered worldwide. This remarkable achievement in vaccine distribution highlights the urgent need for comprehensive vaccine safety monitoring, as very rare adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines may only become apparent after widespread administration. To address this need, the Safety Platform for Emergency Vaccines (SPEAC) initiative formulated a list of potential COVID-19 vaccine adverse events of special interest (AESI) in 2020. These AESI were selected based on various factors, including their associations with immunization, vaccine platforms, or adjuvants, as well as theoretical concerns related to immunopathogenesis. One flexible approach for assessing AESI is the comparison of observed AESI rates following vaccine introduction with expected rates based on historical periods pre-vaccine rollout. This method, known as observed vs. expected (OE) analysis, can rapidly detect potential vaccine safety signals. For example, OE analysis played a crucial role in identifying thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) as a safety signal, prompting the suspension of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in certain countries. To further enhance vaccine safety monitoring, a global cohort study was conducted as part of the Global COVID Vaccine Safety (GCoVS) Project. This project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), involves multiple nations and aims to monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety on a global scale. Thirteen AESI were selected for evaluation, including neurological, hematologic, and cardiovascular conditions, which are as follows:
The study analyzed data from 10 sites across eight countries, comprising a total vaccinated population of 99,068,901 individuals. Notable findings include a statistically significant increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases following the administration of the ChAdOx1 (India) vaccine and an increased risk of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) after the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna). Hematologic conditions such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) also showed elevated risk ratios following certain vaccine doses. Similarly, cardiovascular conditions like myocarditis and pericarditis demonstrated increased risk ratios, particularly after mRNA vaccine doses (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca). Here is the raw data collected from the study: Here is a chart summarizing the raw data collected in the study: Overall, these findings underscore the importance of ongoing vaccine safety monitoring and highlight the value of global collaboration in assessing vaccine-related adverse events. By leveraging methodologies such as OE analysis and conducting comprehensive cohort studies, public health agencies can swiftly detect and respond to potential vaccine safety signals, ensuring the continued safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination efforts worldwide. referencesK. Faksova, et al. “COVID-19 Vaccines and Adverse Events of Special Interest: A Multinational Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) Cohort Study of 99 Million Vaccinated Individuals.” Vaccine, 1 Feb. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.100.
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