Reason #5: Cancelling Prescriptions
April 16, 2009
Today, I decided I love the recession because it’s forcing people to taper off of their prescription drugs.
Looks like a lot of people I know.
My mother owns an independant pharmacy in Austin, Tx. She makes boatloads of money filling prescriptions every day, mainly for people who are too lazy to excersize or eat right and want take a pill to fix their health problems. It’s an epidemic.
My mother has spent many a nights telling me how sad being a pharmacist makes her. Not because she hates her job, but she believes the drug industry is a racket. It creates drugs like Lunesta to help people do something as natural as sleep, and then offers doctors bonuses when they perscribe it to thier patients.
The point is many people are over-prescribed. Our family friend has had multiple scoliosis-related back surgeries since she was 35. She began taking 100 mgs of Vicoden each day. Now, at 50, she takes 7 different pain medications in doses that would be lethal to anyone without her tolerance. She was fired from her job because she was uncoordinated. She’s convinced she needs the drugs, which cost her almost $2500 each month.
Since we’re in a recession, massive drug corporations have increased the price of “necessary” medications from about 10 to 30% in the last year.But instead of paying, many patrons at my mother’s pharmacy have decided to quit.
She came home especially happy last night. She told me that one of her favorite customers, who usually filled five perscriptions (for blood pressure, for sleep aid, anxiety, thyroid issues, and menopause) decided she could only afford her blood pressure meds this month. “I just can’t afford all this junk anymore,” she told my ma.
“That’s all most of it really is,” my mamma said. “Just junk.”
It’s ok to feel anxious sometimes! It’s natural to age! Eat a carrot, not a beta blocker! These drugs are part of capitalism, not health care!
I love the recession!
