FDA-approved drugs kill 100,000 every year

Small Government Times ^ | 2013-11-06 | Steve Adcock

[sdnet]

Medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration result in 100,000 deaths every year from what the federal agency describes as “Adverse Drug Reactions”, or ADRs. Worse, over 2 million Americans suffer non-deadly adverse reactions to drugs every year that the FDA has approved “safe”.

ADRs refer to negative reactions that Americans suffer from taking drugs as directed by their doctor or the drug’s manufacturer. These cases DO NOT include overdoses or drug abuse.

In fact, the FDA claims that adverse drug reactions account for the 4th leading cause of death “ahead of pulmonary disease, diabetes, AIDS, pneumonia, accidents and automobile deaths”. Who is the FDA truly protecting, and what responsibility does the FDA accept in the number of deaths that result from its approved drugs? These deaths give the phrase “FDA Warning” a whole new meaning.

[Mase]

Ah, yes. A world without risk. Wouldn't that be nice?Those of us who choose to live in the real world, however, realize that all medicines come with benefits and risks. The FDA regularly sits on new therapies that could be improving or saving lives. They do so because it is a political organization that does everything it can to cover its ass. As a result, drug discovery is an expensive and time consuming process that stymies innovation. Great. And you think we need more of this?

Creating sophisticated compounds to treat complex diseases is fraught with risk. Moving from a clinical trial involving hundreds/thousands, to a commercialized product that is used by millions, is going to cause some unfortunate side effects.....human physiology being so different and all.

It is what it is. Trying to eliminate this risk will only kill innovation. And I don't know if you're paying attention to the problems we're facing with treating infections, but this isn't a time to be circling the wagons.

[NautiNurse]

stupid doctors not knowing what others doctors had prescribed!

The patient bears no responsibility to inform each health care provider of their current medication list. The physician should prognosticate the information from their arse?
BS

[seeker41]

My mother passed away 3 years ago. She had Dystonia for 25 years.

My father and myself both carried lists of all her medications and their dosages along with the frequency of dose. These were always noted as the nurses did their charting initially and copies were attached in her chart.

Can doctors not read? Do they review charts and meds?

It is not BS! They made mistakes and admitted it!

Gabapentin (Neurontin) caused a severe med. interaction almost causing her death. That was discovered by myself going through the PDR and reading interactions of drugs. I pointed this out to 2 sets of doctors-infection control and neurology.

Now I will ask again, do stupid doctors not know how to read case notes, med. lists or consult with eachother!

[fabian]

Innovation for what? Managing symptoms mostly is all these drugs do! Living longer is not the end all. Finding the did ease in our spirit is the answer. Fhu.com has that pathway.