Medical Ethics Of The Pharmaceutical Field

"In the past two decades or so, health care has been commercialized as never before, and professionalism in medicine seems to be giving way to entrepreneurialism," commented Arnold S. Relman, professor of medicine and social medicine at Harvard Medical School (Wekesser 66). This statement may have a great deal of bearing on reality. The tangled knot of insurers, physicians, drug companies, and hospitals that we call our health system are not as unselfish and focused on the patients' needs as people would like to think. Pharmaceutical companies are particularly ruthless, many of them spending millions of dollars per year to convince doctors to prescribe their drugs and to convince consumers that their specific brand of drug is needed in

In the early 1990’s many doctors were hesitant in prescribing narcotics because they were seen as harmful and habit forming. Purdue Pharma the creator of OxyContin changed the ways of the drug industry. Purdue changed the mindset of many physicians and family doctors inconveniencing them that the new to the market drug was revolutionary, with promises of quick pain relief that last up to 12 hours. With marketing adds like “Remember, effective relief just takes two” Purdue Pharma convinced doctors that it was virtually impossible to become addicted (HARRIET RYAN, 2016). The rise of OxyContin started in 1996. OxyContin

In July 2001 Robert R. Courtney’s illegal and highly unethical behavior was brought to the attention of local authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Courtney’s blatant disregard for the trust patients placed in him was evidenced by his daily violations of their rights and expectations while he supposedly provided quality healthcare service. By August 2001, following investigation, the FBI filed 20 federal charges against Courtney that carried a maximum prison sentence of 196 years (United Press International, 2002). $8 million of his assets which were estimated to be in excess of $10 million were frozen to be used as restitution for victims in the criminal case. Following a plea agreement Courtney’s prison

In addition to Vicodin, the pain killer Oxycontin is also widely abused. It is used to treat severe pain that is expected to last a prolonged amount of time. Oxycontin has many similar side effects of Vicodin along with sweating, itching, loss of appetite, and severe weakness. It works by blocking the brain from receiving pain messages. The reason Oxycontin is so dangerous is because it is highly addictive and is a central nervous system depressant. It is believed that a younger healthier college student is more likely to become addicted to the drug rather than an older adult taking it for pain reasons. This is because taking Oxycontin to get high has a completely different effect on the body (“Oxycontin”).

OxyContin is a controlled drug containing oxycodone, the active ingredient responsible for eliminating the pain associated with: injuries, bursitis, dislocation, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain, and pain associated with cancer. When taken according to the proper dosage, the oxycodone runs on a perfectly timed release in the body’s system in order to manage the pain. This narcotic, when abused, produces heroin like effects and can enable the user to develop a tolerance, forcing an increase in dosage per intake in order to achieve the desired effects. Though OxyContin is

We (Individuals) do not want an individual in jury duty under the use of illegal dugs. But, what if the individual is actually under prescription drugs?

There is an epidemic happening in the United States right now, and it is with the abuse of prescription drugs; Chris Rock has portrayed it in the best way,

OxyContin also known by its generic name Oxycodone is an opioid drug that relieves moderate short-term to severe long-term pain (1). It is generally used in palliative care for terminally ill patients in the hospital (3). The problem with OxyContin is there are many possible side effects such as dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, mild itching and loss of appetite, like any drug but addiction is never mentioned (1). There is a lot of controversy when it comes to OxyContin as it not only helps patients in the hospital but also helps someones high. OxyContin is continuously being abused, increasing the total amount of death rates as users continue to look for a rush. OxyContin allows that rush when it is chewed or crushed

Prescription painkillers go by many names, opiates, opioids, and narcotics. There are also types of opiates; some legal and some not. Some types of legal opiates include: codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, and methadone (MSU). Each one of these have different potencies and side effects, but they are all equally as dangerous as the next one. There are too many of these dangerous drugs, therefore, people believe they are safe. The problem is that they are not safe; these drugs need to be banned immediately.

" Not all opioids are physician prescribed, some opioids are street created illegal substances. A few examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone( Vicodin), codeine and morphine(NIH). Doctors have a responsibility to only prescribe opioids when it is found that the substance is the only pain relief option left. However, all of the blame cannot be placed on licensed physicians when our country has a large amount of homemade opioid

OxyContin is a painkiller available in America by prescription for moderate or severe pain and is short for the full names of this narcotic, which is oxycodone hydrochloride (justice.gov, 2003). Serious illnesses and conditions like bursitis, neuralgia, arthritis, and cancer are generally reasons why this drug is prescribed; it also has a controlled release factor which means the pill, when swallowed keeps pain at bay for hours in a gentle, continuous manner when taken every 12 hours (justice.gov, 2003). For drug addicts and those who abuse the OxyContin, a euphoric effect is produced and maintained, when individuals find a way around the controlled release formula, through crushing the pills and snorting them or by dissolving the pills in water and injecting them with a needle. The euphoria produced by OxyContin is euphoric and is compared to heroin (justice.gov, 2003).

Oxycodone is a type of opioid medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain a patient is experiencing, such as an injury. However, Oxycodone should be banned because it causes more negative consequences for the user’s health, the environment, society, and the economy. Even if the drug helps relieve pain, it gives even more risks than positive consequences.

Drug companies that test experimental drugs in foreign countries are acting unethically. They are acting unethically, such that they are not disclosing results from the tests. As per the national Pharmaceutical Control Bureau’s Web site, there are specific guidelines with which the experimenters would have to adhere to when dealing with drug reactions (Health-Asia, 2007, February 2). Following a practice like this is imperative because patient safety is number one. Additionally, recording results and sharing them is common decency for families that are affiliated with the person being tested. If something bad happened, such as death, families, if present and involved, should be notified. Another reason as to why I feel recording results is important is the fact that it allows for the experimenters/doctors to have visual data of what drugs work and what drugs do not work. This would enable them to potentially improve on any faults that are present in the drugs and prevent future casualties.

Over the past couple of decades, a sudden change has started to take over the way business is done. The time when no rules applied, and anyone could do what they pleased at the cost of others or the environment is rapidly ending. Instead, companies today have become aware that it is essential for them to employ ethics and morality in their actions, if not they will be heavily scrutinized and rejected by the public. This way of thinking also applies to the pharmaceutical industry, which over the past century has been rapidly expanding. Do to the fact that this industry can determine the health and lives of millions of people, it is imperative that this industry follow an ethical and moral path.

Prescription drug abuse can be just as harmful or addictive as other synthetic drugs. The oxycodone (opioid) drug has been recorded as one of the leading drug abuses in the United States within the past few years. Numerous sources have verified, ”Prescription opioid drugs are now the second-most used illicit substance (behind marijuana)” (Prescription Drug Abuse Problem). Doctors have to be very careful about giving the correct medication and amount to the patient it is intended for. Sadly, teenagers and young adults are found to be the most frequent case of prescription drug absers.