Pharmaceutical Drugs - Term Paper Example

1. Introduction and Background This thesis aims to explore if the Pharmaceutical Drugs are better and safer than Herbal or other unregulated Drugs. Medicines, both herbs and drugs, are highly income generating business. Nowadays, Americans expend around 200 billion dollars each annum on drugs and almost 20 billion dollars on herbs etc. While preferring the finest medicine, people usually ask for the most secure and efficient option, however, people mostly prefer to spend on herbs as compare to drugs as herbs are said to be natural, with fewer side effects and are cheaper than drugs (Keiley & Bloyd, 2007). With the help of internet, newspapers, documentaries and number of other sources, it has become easier than past to stay in touch with health and nutrition information (Helmet, 2007). Nevertheless, people have been taking interest in finding more and more to get a clear picture in going for the best available option. An ongoing debate that has been attracting the citizens is to choose between prescription drugs and herbal products. In this paper, with the help of online information and other relevant sources, different aspects of herbal products and pharmaceutical drugs will be discussed in detail to evaluate the pros and cons of each treatment. 2. Overview and findings Inadequate knowledge may result in future problems. In numerous diseases, like diabetes or heart disease when a doctor recommends prescription in order to manage the criticality of earlier stage of such complicated diseases, generally, patients prefer not to give it a single thought and run to get the medicines in order to recover. Nonetheless, many people choose natural medication by the mean of herbal remedies instead of normal pharmaceutical drugs. This may be due to the perception that these so-called herbal products are free from side effects and are hundred percent pure and effective. This perception has made herbal business very successful. This is a controversial issue and there are number of researches, arguments conducted on this topic. One should investigate before continuing any of the herbal products. Focusing on the ingredients, tending to find out all its consequences may help to proceed with the right choice. 2.1. Are herbs non chemical? People generally think that herbs are free of chemicals. This is a general perception due to which, people prefer herbs over the pharmaceutical drugs. While discussing with a few dealers of herbal products and with the help of number of previous researches, it has been found out that the ingredients used in herbal medicines are none other than the similar chemicals that are used in pharmaceutical drugs. Here, the main attraction of herbal products becomes a question mark. Number of physicians who are in favor of herbal remedies support their statement by accepting the usage of chemical in composition of such herbal supplements but they emphasize on the fact that chemicals are used only to preserve the herbs and for the medication. However, this explanation does not satisfy many of the subscribers. It has also been found that many herbal products are not 100% herbal and ultimately cause severe side effects (Aquí, 2008). 2.2. Herb-Drug interaction Dharmananda shared his research over the herb-drug interaction and listed number of herb that may come up with severe adverse side effect. He illustrated that a simple herb may also cause an adverse reaction when is combined with any specific substance. Dharmananda (2003) included the below figure, earlier presented by Jerry Cott in 1999, in his study to clearly present a picture of the consequences which are linked with the herbs-drug interaction. Figure 1: Herb-Drug Interaction Chart (Dharmananda, 2003) 2.3. FDA declaration by Food and Drug Administration In the United States of America, herbal products are considered as foods and not treated as drugs, As per 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act, herbal products manufacturers and sellers are accountable to make sure that whatever products they sell are secure and as per health constraints. In the U.S.A, Food and Drug Administration who basically regulates prescriptions before they are exposed to the citizens in order to ensure health and safety, do not, in any case, legalize herbal medication as drugs. This is again a point to reconsider herbal remedies. The reason could be the impurity etc. In result of which, the providers of herbal products do not perform and follow the standardized procedure through FDA. To check and examine that what actually is in the remedies that are herbal, The Center for Science in the Public Interest enquires the producer to authenticate (Clarkhoward, 2009). While on the other hand, drugs are well tested in terms of composition and in terms of dose specification. This is not the case with herbal remedies as each time you take herbal dose; one may fail to take the exact dose as required. It may differ in quantity. 2.4. Unauthentic labels and hidden ingredients As per a few findings, it has been come across that there are numerous herbal products, actual ingredients of which, do not exactly match the listed ingredients as mentioned on the label. As per CBS News, many of the herbal products may include Indocin, cortisone-like hormones, Viagra, prednisone and diuretics, etc (2007). Different herbal supplements are extensively used in health clubs for body building and weight loss. Such products are highly discouraged and such products lately cause side effects. Hidden ingredients of herbal remedies may be dangerous so it is not advisable to use such unauthentic products. Opposite to general perception, it has been found that herbal products may sound secure but ultimately, many of these are very dangerous. Aristolochia extracts that are used in thousands of herbal products can be a reason of diseases like kidney cancer etc. The term Aristolochia refers to a few plants that have aristolochic acids. Majority of the users hardly read the ingredients list on the label. Even any of the users tries to read the used ingredients, he may not exactly understand the facts behind such difficult terminologies. 2.5. Cost Factor Many herbal products are comparatively cost effective than pharmaceutical drugs. This is another attraction for the users of herbal products but buying something, which is as important as a medicine, should not be preferred over any other costly medicine only for the sake of price. It is suggested to evaluate the contents of all products you purchase. However, if both the medicines are from authentic companies and both are recommended by the health agency then cost effective product may be preferred over the similar product. But, in any case, it is not recommended to purchase herbal product instead of regularized drug only for the sake to save some money. 3. Discussion Generally, number of products which are easily available in the market are said to be herbal. There is a huge difference of natural remedies and locally available so-called herbal products. The debate is basically not between the natural remedies and pharmaceutical drugs. But the debate is to evaluate if the locally available herbal products are 100% pure and free of chemicals. As per Spring, natural remedies are becoming quite popular (2007). Unfortunately, it is really not easy to find out if the natural remedies are really natural or not. Up to some extent, Spring shared her views brilliantly in her article to support natural products but the real problem is with the authenticity. Providers of herbal products themselves use pharmaceutical products to recover when they come across critical diseases and when authentic and quick remedy can only be beneficial to the patient. Each pharmaceutical drug is a result of several researches and examinations. People support herbal treatment by emphasizing that a number of herbs should be used as they are in use since years. However, this could not justify preferring herbal remedies over the pharmaceutical drugs because if any herb, that may give immediate result, is found dangerous and may gradually spoil internal system then people should go through the research findings and should think a thousand times before continuing to use such herbs. Impurity may negatively react. There are numerous herbs that may be useful when are used without mixing with any other herb or chemical but once such herbs are combined with a few chemicals or substances, adverse results are obtained. People who use herbal products are unaware of complete details of such products. Most of the times, people purchase herbal products just because any of their friends used it and up to some extent, found it useful. Such products may be useful for short term but for long run, it may cause adverse side effects. As per a few findings, people may experience bleeding etc when taking aspirin with one of the memory booster ginkgo. Another example could be St. John’s wort, which is basically a depression cure, can contradict the usefulness of oral contraceptives and protease inhibitors utilized to control HIV (Dharmananda, 2003). Subhuti Dharmananda shared detailed list of herb-drug interaction at itmonline.org to briefly illustrate that interaction of a few useful herbs may result is severe health concerns if are combined with number of substances or even if are solely taken for a long period. He also shared the consequences of extensive use of single herbs like Velerian, Ginger, Garlic, Saw Palmetto, Licorice, Kava-kava, and Goldenseal etc. People take Valerian as mild sedative, soothing muscles or as a sleep-aid but usage of Valerian may adversely reacts and may delay the working of some specific agents of anesthetic and can also react as anti-seizure medications. Similarly, Ginger and Garlic may lately result in bleeding specifically for the patients who use medicines that are anti-clotting. People take Ginger for the sake of reducing problems like vomiting nausea etc while Garlic is normally considered as a useful remedy to control cholesterol in blood and blood pressure. People use Saw Palmetto for the sake of engorging prostate and urinary soreness. While on the other hand saw Palmetto may cause a few hormone rehabilitations. Licorice is considered as useful herbal treatment for the patients of stomach ulcer but it may cause swelling and high blood pressure. Kava-kava is another herb that people take to get rid of unease, impatience and nervousness but it may adversely react by accelerating alcoholic effects and depression. It also negatively extends the effects of anti-seizure medication. Goldenseal is another herbal remedy to control inflammation and is taken as a mild laxative but unfortunately, just like licorice, goldenseal may also result in high blood pressure and swelling (Dharmananda, 2003). 4. Conclusion It has been concluded that one should take health concerns seriously and should not compromise on drugs. It is advisable to always consult your doctor before taking any drug or herbal product for any reason. People mostly take supplement without consulting their doctors. It is because people do not take supplements seriously and are not aware of its darker side and consequences. In this thesis, with the help of previous researches and number of facts and findings, it has been proved that there is no proper and solid information available that may support the statement that herbal product are beneficial than pharmaceutical drugs. As discussed in the earlier part of this paper, it has been found out that herbal products are not only risky but may contain chemicals or substances that may have severe side effects. Majority of the herbal products are cheaper in cost as compare to the pharmaceutical drugs. This attracts people but people should not prefer one medication over another for the sake of saving some money. Herbal products are comparatively easy to produce than pharmaceutical medicine. Moreover, herbal products do not need to pass through the health laboratories to test and examine its efficiency and side effects. There might be a few side effects that the producer of any herbal product may forgo, due to which, short term benefits persuade the user to continue with the product but ultimately, in long run, the users face diseases like cancer or kidney failure. The most important point which is emphasized at number of places in this paper is to rely on authenticity and to only acquire approved products. People should study the type of medication they prefer to adopt. Natural alternative may be useful somewhat but it is not recommended at all to use them until concerned health authorities legally test and approve them. WORKS CITED Aquí, Haga C. "HERBAL REMEDIES, SUPPLEMENTS AND ACUPUNCTURE FOR ARTHRITIS." American College of Rheumatology. June 2008. 13 Jan. 2010. . Clark. "Herbal remedies are the unregulated Wild West of medicine." Clarkhoward. 11 May 2009. 16 Jan. 2010. . Dharmananda, Subhuti . "CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS." ITM Online. Sept. 2003. 12 Jan. 2010. . Helmet , Jean . "We Discuss Prescription Drugs vs. Natural Alternatives ." Ezine Articles. 17 Feb. 2007. 14 Jan. 2010. . "Herbal Sex Pills May Pose Health Risks." CBSNews.com. 12 Nov. 2007. 02. 15 Jan. 2010. . Keiley, Lynn, and Stephanie Bloyd. "What You Should Know About Drugs vs. Herbs." Mother Earth News. Jan. 2007. 17 Jan. 2010. . Spring , Manda. "Prescription Drugs VS Natural Remedies." Associated Content. 19 Feb. 2007. 17 Jan. 2010. . Read More