How Does the Rising Cost of Medicine Affect What Doctors Prescribe

Regulation of the rising cost of medicine

The rising cost of medicine influences what doctors prescribe for their patients, in that it creates a fine-tuned balance of health care and medicine. There are numerous medical professionals, as well as others, who are concerned that the health care system is rapidly heading into a state of crisis, because of the sky rocketing cost of medical prescriptions. Some insist that drug companies appear to control the cost of medicine. Others argue that when there is corruption in the health care system, it may open the door for drug companies to make unreasonable price demands on doctors, pharmacists and patients.

In the light of the current, global economic decline, it is increasingly evident that every area of health care is affected. The cost of medicine is on the rise, but so is everything else. This includes the cost of research and technology that ultimately allows continual progress in the field of medicine and enhances the medical treatment of patients by their doctors.

Drug manufacturing is a complex, multi-level business, all around the world. The research and development of any new medication, is only the starting point with regard to its actual cost. The introduction and testing of experimental drugs, takes time and money too. Then, there is the production of drugs, as well as worldwide advertising, marketing and distribution.

Drug companies enter into the global picture, when they produce, advertise and sell specific drugs. The majority of drug companies have fierce competition, which acts as a form of price control. If there is no competition,  there is always the possibility that there is no cap placed on the price of the drugs that they produce and sell. The prices can skyrocket. There is a justifiable outcry from the public with regard to price gouging.

Medication or drugs are sold through pharmacies, which operate as legitimate businesses. In order to sell medications, pharmacies purchase them from drug companies, at their pre-determined prices. There is marked competition between pharmacies, which helps to regulate and control the prices for drugs. Pharmacies expect to operate on a profit basis, not a loss and they set their prices accordingly.

A patient, who receives a prescription, deals directly with a pharmacist and pays the price set by him or her, in conjunction with the pharmacy that he or she owns or operates. A patient can choose to find a less expensive source of the same medication by shopping around or shopping online, but a word of caution is advisable.

Doctor's hands are tied to a certain extent, when it comes to what they prescribe. They know what drugs patients can and should be prescribed for specific medical conditions. They are regularly introduced to new drugs by drug company representatives or other kinds of media and advertising, like videos, cds or medical journals.

Doctors receive free drug samples they give to patients. They know the difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs. They know which drugs are likely to be effective for treatment and which ones are going to be less effective. Doctors are aware of what the majority of medications cost, but not necessarily their cost, at every pharmacy. They may be able to advise patients where to shop for less expensive medications.

Patient health is the primary objective in medical treatment and ideally, each doctor strives for the highest possible level of health care for his or her patients. Most physicians know the approximate financial status of their patients and prescribe drugs for them, so that they can afford them. There are a number of ways they do this. Doctors have the option of giving patients free samples of medication, if they are aware that their patients may not able to purchase them. They may choose to prescribe generic drugs instead of brand name drugs, in order to keep the patient's cost at a minimum. They will prescribe only essential medications.

Insurance companies cover at least part of the cost of patient's medications, but not all drugs. It is advisable for patients to purchase insurance policies that cover basic medications, though insurance policies may prove to be expensive too.

Doctors prescribe drugs in a highly ethical manner, because for them not to do so, could result in the loss of their medical licenses. They will not prescribe medication not deemed appropriate for medical treatment, because prescribing non-appropriate drugs could result in medical malpractice law suits. Doctors are aware that every drug has the potential to cause side effects, positive or negative.

Most doctors will limit the length of time that a drug is administered to a patient, because they are knowledgeable about drugs, how long they take to work and when they reach their peak effectiveness. After that time, the drug may not be appropriate in terms of ongoing or continued treatment. They will avoid prescribing multiple medications for patients unless indicated, because of the possibility of drug interactions, which can prove to be fatal. They must be aware of patient's allergies.

At the same time, doctors cope with many unknowns like medication errors that arise on the part of pharmacies, staff members in hospitals or other health care facilities, as well as the patients and their families. 

There may be times when certain drugs are not available in various locations. Other drugs may have to be prescribed. There may be drugs that have to be recalled for different reasons.

Physicians must take the level of a patient's comprehension regarding medical directives regarding prescriptions into consideration. A percentage of all patients, regardless of age, are non-compliant. They cannot be relied upon to take their medications, as directed. Many patients miss, skip their medications intentionally or take more medication than they are directed to take. Patients may take accidental or intentional overdoses of medication.

Medical ethics, as well as specific drug protocols, are powerful deterrents that prevent doctors from acting unethically, with respect to prescribing or administering medication. Doctors do not accept kickbacks from drug companies. Adherence to medical-ethical standards by doctors prevents the abuse and maltreatment of patients, with regard to prescribing and administering medication.

Is it possible to regulate the cost of medication globally, particularly the extremely expensive medications, deemed essential for the treatment and elimination of specific diseases or medical conditions? Again, this takes one back to the initial reality of drug research and technology. Should medicine continue to progress in a positive direction? Yes, of course. Are patients willing and able to pay the price?

There may not be any choice in the matter, but one of the advantages of new research and technology, lies in the reality that better medical solutions are being discovered daily and new answers for medical problems, will continue to be found in the future. Other methods of treatment or alternative medications may prove to render the same or better medical results, than what is currently prescribed. Medicine is continually progressing in a positive direction.

What doctors will continue to prescribe, are the medications that they know will render the best possible results for their patients. It is always in their best interest to do so, in order to prevent health care crises from happening.

Continually maintaining and improving medical and ethical health care guidelines, in conjunction with ongoing competition, helps to regulate, control or eliminate drug companies that cannot justify the cost of the medications that they are producing and marketing.

Ethical doctors adhere to medical guidelines and will not prescribe over-priced medications for their patients. Patients, who feel that they are being gouged for the price of medications, should consult their doctors regarding other possible medical options. This may include referrals to specific organizations that are able to assist them financially, with regard to essential drug therapy.

The rising cost of medicine does affect what doctors prescribe for their patients and hopefully, over time, it will prove to be in a more positive direction.