If asked to name one thing that affects our life in most phases
one would hardly say pharmaceuticals. But wait this is a fact
that most of us since our birth depend on pharmaceuticals in
one-way or other. Definitely by age our dependence on pharmacy
products increases but even teenagers and young ones consume a
big percentage of pharmaceutical derivatives.
Pharmaceuticals play a vital role in our day-to-day living. And
hence their rising costs are destined to be our major concern.
The ever growing prices of pharmaceutical products severely
pinches one's pocket, cause this is one area where there is no
choice of take or leave. If a person is suffering from certain
disease and the doctor prescribes him any medicines he must
purchase it whether it suits his pocket or not. One is left with
no choice but to pay the chemist. Hence there is a great need to
regulate the prices of drugs, at least to watch that its price
is not much above the cost incurred plus a marginal profit for
the manufacturing company. As of now many market leaders are
found to price their monopoly drugs at a very high rate. Even
medicines or regular use are very costly. Drugs sold by
prescription being much more expensive than those sold over the
counter by the chemist. Hence, a person is often tempted to go
for over the counter choice.
Big pharmaceutical players in the market also pay much
attention to research and development of new medications
possible. A big amount of money is invested in the R & D branch
of the industry. Based on the market requirements and demands
companies try hard to invent a suitable drug to cure any
ailment. Millions are spend in this type of research. And once
any company hopes to have created any new medicine it has to
pass through many different stages to get the approval of the
drug controlling authority, FDA. FDA governs the stages of
research, development and manufacture that have been undergone
for any new drug before being exposed to consumers. Only after
it has approved and given its quality assurance any drug shall
be sold to public.
Even before any drug is presented to FDA it undergoes intensive
testing which is carried on animals and even humans. These tests
confirm about the effectiveness of the medicine and makes sure
that the invented drug does not have any serious side effects.
Animals that are used to carry these tests often raise a
controversy among the environmentalists. They strongly object
about animals being tortured for the benefit of mankind. While
the companies defend by saying that it is important to save
mankind and those animals can easily reproduce. Whatever be the
case this controversy goes on forever without a suitable
solution. All this research work is necessary so that the
ultimate consumer gets nothing but the best.
With the high growth rate in the pharmaceutical industry all the
companies employed in this sector are facing though competition.
There is a constant endeavor to attract the consumers by direct
marketing and efficient advertising plans targeted towards
customers. We all need to be aware of what types of drugs are
available in the market and take our judgment meticulously and
not get carried away by advertisements.
About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about
pharmaceuticals .
