Study prescription drugs before buying

To the editor:

People who are older or have had a serious illness have probably encountered prescription drugs that are outrageously priced. Drug companies will tell us that these huge prices for drugs are necessary to fund research to develop new drugs. But where are the new antibiotics to combat dangerous superbugs? Where are the new vaccines to prevent serious diseases such as Ebola?

Many of the new drugs are designed for long-term use by patients and a few are designed to treat questionable 'diseases” such as restless leg syndrome.

Many of the health conditions these new drugs are designed to treat are unfamiliar to the public and require a massive media campaign to foster public awareness and create a market.

Advertising prescription drugs to the public is only legal in the U.S. and New Zealand. Pharmaceutical companies spend more money on advertising than on research and development. Those new drugs that have a benefit for patients may be no better than drugs already on the market or may have many dangerous possible side effects.

To remedy this situation, if we are lucky, we may have prescription drug insurance, but possibly with deductibles and doughnut holes. Another possibility is to explore generic equivalents. We also can contact legislators who do not receive big donations from pharmaceutical companies.

Probably the best is to investigate what the pharmaceutical companies are doing and spread the word.

Robert J. Boes

Ely