(no subject)
Oct. 7th, 2003 11:32 amPharmaceutical Companies advertise direct to the consumer drugs designed to overcome the foibles of childhood. And all our health care costs go up so soccer moms can medicate rather than discipline her kid into sitting still for class.
So here are a few pointers for reducing health care cost:
1) Don't advertise direct to the consumers. Doctors are the ones responsible for developing treatment plans, and the money saved on advertising can be passed to the consumer. Direct advertising has resulted in the pathologization of everything from youthful exuberance to diminished sexuality of age; all done to create markets for drugs that are overprescribed and unnecessary.
2) Psychiatrists should ensure that proper child-rearing and discipline are in place before considering prescribing an ADHD drug. There is a difference between the incorrigible and the undisciplined. Drugs and TV should not replace play and parenting, but too often they do.
I probably have more to say on this, but haven't quite organized my thoughts. Let's just say that there is a certain lack of accountability built into the system.
So here are a few pointers for reducing health care cost:
1) Don't advertise direct to the consumers. Doctors are the ones responsible for developing treatment plans, and the money saved on advertising can be passed to the consumer. Direct advertising has resulted in the pathologization of everything from youthful exuberance to diminished sexuality of age; all done to create markets for drugs that are overprescribed and unnecessary.
2) Psychiatrists should ensure that proper child-rearing and discipline are in place before considering prescribing an ADHD drug. There is a difference between the incorrigible and the undisciplined. Drugs and TV should not replace play and parenting, but too often they do.
I probably have more to say on this, but haven't quite organized my thoughts. Let's just say that there is a certain lack of accountability built into the system.