Prescription drugs are medications available only when prescribed by a doctor or other authorized health care providers. These drugs include a variety of medications used to treat specific medical conditions, and they are regulated by the federal government. Medical professionals authorized to prescribe these drugs include physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, optometrists and veterinarians.
Governing Regulations
Prescription drugs must have warnings regarding their potential side effects as well as allergies and precautions. According to Michaelshouse.com: "The safety regulations regarding prescription drugs in the United States are overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987."
Process to Market a Drug
A manufacturer markets a new drug by detailing its safety and efficacy through clinical trails that last six to 11 years. On completing clinical trials, the results are reviewed by the FDA, which can take up to two years. The FDA then approves the drug and the label, with information for health care providers regarding diseases it can treat, its side effects as well as allergies and precautions. The U.S. prescription drug market is a $140 billion dollar industry.
Safety Guidelines
The website Uihealthcare.com recommends the following safety guidelines for the use of prescription drugs: Use only one pharmacy for all your prescriptions; inform your doctor of any drug allergies you have and all other prescription medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal products; complete the course of the medication as ordered even if your condition improves; and throw away outdated drugs.
Disposal of Prescription Drugs
According to healthcare.utah.edu: "The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy released guidelines in February 2007 for patients to properly dispose of prescription drugs, developed jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency."
Disposal Guidelines
These guidelines recommend disposal of most prescription drugs in the trash. Before disposal, mix the medication with a substance such as coffee grounds or cat litter and seal the mixture in a plain container. A few medications are recommended for flushing down the toilet, including fentanyl, dilaudid and oxycontin. The risk of toxicity from accidental ingestion outweighs the potential risks of flushing these medications.
Abuse of Prescription Drugs
According to Mayoclinic.com, "a 2007 survey conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription drug abuse occurs in more than 15 percent of U.S. high school seniors." Codeine-based pain killers such as Vicodin and OxyContin are the most popular ones. Narcotic pain killers, stimulants and sedatives as well as tranquilizers can be habit forming and lead to prescription abuse. Online pharmacies can also give easy access to prescription drugs without a prescription.
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