Prescription Drugs Is A Global Health Concern

Doctors prescribe medications to people with certain doses and forms because of how fast or slow the drug goes through the body. The drug will move to the stomach where it is dissolved, then it will release the drug into the blood, and then finally traveling to the brain. When the drug is abused it changes the speed and the way the drug travels throughout the body and to the brain. For example, when someone abuses the stimulant, Adderall, by crushing the pill and snorting it through their nose, a dose that would normally work over the course of a 10-12-hour period hits the brain all at once creating a high and drastically increasing the risk for overdose, addiction, or death (Prescription Drugs).

One thing contributing to the high usage of opiates is their ability to have strong pain relieving effects. The availability of prescription medications containing opium contributed to the misuse and abuse of the substance as well (Chen, Humphreys, & Shah, 2013, p. 60). Since opiates were easy to possess from medical personnel, it became clear that it was contributing to issues related to the misuse and abuse of opiates (Chen, Humphreys, & Shah, 2013, p. 60). Therefore, over the past few years, prescription drugs which possessed addictive qualities such as opioids, has been closely monitored to avoid nonmedical usage (Chen, Humphreys, & Shah, 2013, p. 60). Nonmedical prescription drug use and disorders are pervasive in the U.S. population, it also tends to be highly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders (Huang, et al., 2006, p.

From the article Prescription Drug Abuse: A Comparison of Prescriber and Pharmacist Perspectives, “Approximately, 20% of the U.S. population aged 12 and older has abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetimes.” This evidently shows that within prescription drug abusers, there are high schoolers who abuse the system. From the NSDUH, National Survey on Drug use and Health, 91% of teen prescription drug abuse obtain the drug from friends, family and mostly prescribers. Thus showing that prescribers and pharmacist, whether they know it or not, are involved with the distribution of the all the prescription drug abuse. By prescribing these drugs to their patients, they are responsible for watching over them and assuring that they use it for appropriate reasons,.Throughout the time the number of prescription drugs that have left pharmaceutical labs has increased over the last two decades, more than 136 million drugs for the common opioid pain killer. Due to the steady increase in the prescription drugs and the attempt to observe the problem, countries would support a system to monitor prescription

The recommendations of the article are therefore useful in concluding a study or exploring future areas of research. 4. Jafari, S. (2014). Prescription medication abuse. BC Medical journal, 56(2), 92-93. Jafari (2014) specifically focuses on the issue of misuse of prescription painkillers. Terming it as an urgent issue, the author systematically accounts for the total number of fatalities in Ontario, noting that drug abuse killed more individuals than HIV. Jafari uses data from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in presenting statistics to show the significance of the issue. In addition, Opioid abuses as well as other emerging addictions specifically in the young population are also expounded. The author cites the process of obtaining the drugs as a plethora of activities by unscrupulous individuals in the society. In the conclusion, the author proposes for a dedicated system to counter prescription drug abuse among individuals; as well as additional mechanisms to monitor the chief distributors of the drugs. This is therefore a relevant article in our research. 5. Jena,

Historically speaking, according to Narconon (2015), the issue of prescription drug abuse began in the 1800’s when consumers could self-prescribe medications such as cocaine and morphine. In the 1900’s, the Pure Food and Drug and Harrison Narcotic Tax acts were put into place as measures to control the sale and distribution of these substances (Narconon International, 2015). Today, the prescription drug problem continues to be a growing issue that has many consequences in our society.

Richard, G., Ojala, V., Ojala, A., & Bowles, S. (2012). Monitoring programs for drugs with potential for abuse or misuse in Canada. Canadian Pharmacists Journal. 145(4):

The Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned education, research, and health facility estimates that over 70% of American rely on at least one prescription drug to treat some form of medical condition. In reality, many of these people rely on multiple prescription drugs to sustain their lives, like drugs to reduce their high blood pressure.

Depressants are often prescribed to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. Drugs in this category include barbiturates like Nembutal and Seconal as well as benzodiazepines like Ativan, Valium, and Xanax. Sleep medications like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata are also in this class of drugs. These drugs are often abused because they have a calming and relaxing effect. However, they can also cause confusion, drowsiness, and memory problems. Like opioids, taking too many depressants can also stop a person’s breathing.

Prescription drug abuse and misuse is becoming a major public health issue in the United

The article, Prescription Drug Abuse: An Epidemic Dilemma, explains the significant increase in prescription drugs among youths, and drug-impaired driving. The research was conducted by Robert L. DuPont (it was published in 2010); his research produces useful knowledge since raises awareness of prescription drug abuse. Although the research article displays strengths, it also displays weaknesses.

In the last two years, strategies of tackling prescription drug abuse have started showing promise. However, does it mean that this reduction will amount to an increase in illicit drug abuse? Citing on statistics from the UK and USA, Owens explains the global relevance of the abuse issue that has since eaten into most populations in other developed countries. In particular, differences in prescription worldwide are a determiner in the extent of drug abuse in many populations. Finally, the author outlines the various methods that could be utilized in the deterring of drug abuse. He advises various administrative agencies to take the matter seriously, through use of technology and prevent dependence on drugs. AS the most current article in the selection, the text will aid in understanding current problems and future areas of research into the

The purpose of this paper is to address the state of prescription drugs within today’s society, as it relates to areas of development, approval, cost, and competition. There will be look at the benefits, such as continued research may lead to the development of new breakthrough prescription drugs. On the opposite end, there is an in-depth look at the controversies that surround the prescription drug industry. These include the many, often severe side effects that accompany many of these drugs, and how they are allowed to make it past FDA approval, as well as, a look at the rising cost of prescription drugs. Tied with the increasing cost, is a comparative look at the similarities and differences of brand name drugs versus their

The costs of prescription drugs in the United States: pharmacists’ voice must be heard is an article released by the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy on April 16, 2016. The article addresses the rising cost prescription drugs in today’s society and how healthcare spending affects millions of citizens. The article stated that the reason why healthcare expenditure is rising is due to the aging population and the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Without counting severe conditions, chronic conditions are highest in the older population ages 65 and above.

The purpose of this report is to show the major problems we face in America if we do not address the misuse of prescription drugs. America’s pain pill and heroin addiction exceeds that of all other countries in the world, statistics from the UN office on Drugs and Crimes show. This report will show emphasis on the misuse of prescription drugs and some of the causes.

They slow the body down. They relax, tranquilize, relieve pain and induce sleep. One may say and do things that they would never do under normal circumstances. When these depressants bare abused they can slow do0wm body functions such as breathing to an extent that a person may pass out or even lapse into a coma.