Do We Need a New Pill Drill?

Commercials that get into our kids heads drive us crazy. When we see them salivating over enticing ads designed to make them pine for every last morsel of candy, new gimmick or any unhealthy vice, we are outraged. And we should be. It's pretty despicable companies do this. As adults, we are also of great interest to marketers, but the version of "candy" being shoved down our throats -- almost literally -- are prescription meds. The United States, along with New Zealand are the only two countries across the world that allows Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertisements. We turn on our television and are bombarded with the latest breakthroughs that will allegedly help us out of our emotional, physical and even sexual ruts. One that makes me choke is the cartoon advertisement for Abilify. This drug has been historically used for symptoms of psychosis, has heavy duty side effects, and is now being propped up like a magic bullet for women my age, who find themselves feeling "stuck." A recent America's State of Mind report reveals that more than a quarter of adult women in their 40s and 50s take antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. We are on the radar of drug companies, for sure. By the way, guys, you are not off the hook-the report also reveals that younger men, ages 20-44, have experienced a 43% rise between 2001-2010. And, of course, our children are being medicated at a higher rate than ever before. For the record, I am not against medication. Doctors, pills...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news