Book review
TitleDeath by PrescriptionAuthor: Ray D StrandPublisher: Nelson Books,
A division of Nelson Publishers
Place. Colorado ,USA
Year of Publication 2003
No of pages 262.
Review and Discussion
Prof Sudhir Dagaonkar
M.D FIAMS
Retired Prof of Pharmacology
Full address
Rajnigandha Apts 8/3 Garden lane Sherepunjab CHSL Mahakali Caves Road Andheri East Mumbai 400093
Telephone no 9892014069
Email id :sudhir.dagaonkar @gmail.com
———-‘Death by prescription’ is a wonderful book written by Dr Ray D Strand based on the shocking truth behind and an overmedicated nation. He has penned the entire thought process into three parts with several chapters dedicated to the important aspects of drug development from the stage of Clinical Trials , Marketing and Post marketing surveillance period.
The first part titled “The system “ gives an introduction to the drug approval process, a deadly partnership between industry and agencies and lastly the Great clinical trial.
The second part titled “System gone wrong” describes the story of Rezulin, where the system went wrong, followed by clear concepts about present dangers. In the next three chapters, author describes drug interactions, polypharmacy and Poly doctors meaning more than couple of medical consultants involved in managing single patient as of today .The last part is dedicated to advise general public to take charge of their health. The use and impact of over the counter medications or therapies is well discussed with examples.
Further protecting oneself for a healthy life as well as health concepts developed by the author in his long experience as a medical practitioner are well described in lucid language giving number of examples of real life situation.Part one describes ‘The System’ considers Death-by prescription involving the drug approval process. There is a deadly partnership and the great Clinical Trial -you in four chapters in a lucid manner.
Part two deals with thematter where System has gone wrong and it elaborates a specific story about Rezulin, How the System has gone wrong. Expressing the clear and present dangers, mix and match, Drug interations, Polydoc and poly pharmacy in appropriate way with examples.
Part three titled “take charge of your health “has expressions in a conclusive way describing Over the counter (OTC) medications, Herbal Therapies, Protecting yourself and lastly authors thoughts on Health conceptsIn Part one chapter elaborates Use of HRT for preventing and managing symptoms of Peri -and post-menopausal women is absolutely correct. Author makes suggestions for observing due precautions and considerations for every individual patient before prescribing HRT. Further the stance is elaborated with numerous case studies. One may or may not agree with all the points mentioned. Still it makes a lot of sense specifically for Medical Consultants, and Clinical Researchers. It’s an eye opener for those easy going prescribers who get swayed by pharmaceutical marketing gimmick’s.It is a common knowledge in the medical world that a Medical Practitioner uses 15/20 drugs in major part of professional life. In present times this understanding doesn’t stand anywhere as the speed with which newer molecules as single drug or in combination as FDC and thrust upon the prescriber has surpassed all past records.
