Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Pharm Parties

 

According to USA Today “Spending on direct-to consumer advertising of prescription drugs continues to rise, but a new study suggests it might not always be a wise investment.” The article goes on to explain that the 4.24 billion dollars that the pharmaceutical companies spent in 2005 on advertising might not have resulted in an increase in sales of pharmaceuticals from those advertisements. Well, all that marketing has resulted in something.

Regardless of what the study shows on sales trends, it is a fact that since direct to consumer advertising of drugs has increased, so has the abuse of pharmaceuticals. The numbers of deaths from prescription medication, whether it was obtained illegally or illegally has been on the rise. Kids have learned enough about pharmaceutical medication to have “pharm parties” and many have learned to buy Xanax online.

We don’t know for sure that TV ads are the cause of these increases, but what else could it be? The voice of pharmaceutical advantage seems to be much louder and more clear that the voice of drug abuse prevention.

Someone is talking to our kids about prescription medication. Prescription drug abuse

can be deadly.

Regardless of who is talking to our kids, we need to have the last word.

Keep your kids safe.

If someone you know is abusing prescription medication then call 877-413-3073.

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