Factors Relating to Medication Availability and Pricing

Pharmaceuticals are a 40-billion-a-year enterprise in the United States with an additional 7 billion spent on over-the-counter drugs (Goode, 1992b). The use of herbal medication has also increased with an estimated 2 billion in preparations, extracts, and teas (Brevoort, 1997). It is estimated that three out of every four doctor s visits result in prescriptions and that approximately 2.8 billion prescriptions were written in 1999 alone (Friebert Greeley, 1999). This in turn relates to the power of the pharmaceutical company in setting prescription prices. As some clients are able to purchase their own prescription medications for a lower price at a veterinarian office rather than at a pharmacy because the pharmaceutical companies charge less if the same medication is for animals as opposed to people (Foumeir, 2000). 

Self-Help and the Internet Decvhering and Using Medical Information 

There is a massive amount of information available to the consumer that describes the risks and benefits of medication. Technology provides easy 

Is there a professional body responsible for reviewing the Web site s contents Do the professionals who review the site have a direct connection to the site (i.e., are they employees at the site) or are they independent professionals Who will review contents from a more objective perspective Are references made to professional journals or researchers that can support the claims being made Can the professionals, researchers, or scientists that review the site be contacted and is there an address where they can be contacted for additional information or clarifieation  

Is there a link to other sources of information that can support or supplement what is provided in the site Be sure these referral sources are reputable and well established, because many companies set up professional-looking Web pages but may not be accurately representing the product they are advertising. 

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