Stay healthy, stay away from the pills

A group of US researchers has raised an alarm over that older adults in the US who are popping prescription pills, over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements in record numbers. Their concern is that these combination of drugs could be deadly.
Apparently more than half of US adults who aer 57-85 years old are using five or more prescription or non-prescription drugs. Added to this, 1in 25 are taking them in combinations that can result in dangerous drug interactions. With rising medical costs, it is not surprising that people are doing pill popping not only for self-medication but also in the believe that taking supplements would keep themselves healthy. With the Internet awashed with all kinds of advice on how to cure and how to keep healthy, and there is no lack of blogs and other discussion groups on health care, it is not surprising that people are just doing what they are doing. Indeed we are in the realm where little knowledge is dangerous.

If a study is done in countries in Asia, the result would not be far different. Perhaps the only distinction would be that those in Asia would add herbs and other local medication to the "prescription". It is not uncommon for example to find people using a combination of Western drugs and Chinese herbal medicine. Some hospitals that practised Western medicine seem to have succumbed to the popularity of Chinese medicine and allowed the non-traditional clinics to be set up. Even some doctors took up traditional Chinese medicine to augment their knowledge and prescribe a combination of both. While undoubtedly there may be merits in some TCM, the problem is that TCM medication are not scientifically tested. Hence there are no proper checks and balances on what's contained in the medication and their efficacy when given to a sick patient.

Public education is important if this pill popping culture is to be checked. The medical profession should debunked the myths floated by some who touted their pills are the ultimate protection for all illnesses. TCM should be scientifically tested and where appropriate they should be given the due recognition. This way the population would be better protected. And lastly, we should look into how to keep medical costs affordable. All the rhetoric about altruism and helping the poor means nothing if at the end of the day the medical bills paint a different story. For example I am told if you aren't able to afford a $100, don't think of visiting the public hospital for an emergency consultation!