I saw a commercial on television the other day announcing that a third of the people taking antidepressants were receiving no benefit from them.  My knee-jerk reaction was they were either on the wrong medication or that those prescriptions were not the solution to their problem but, "not so," according to the announcer.   Just take yet another medicine on top of what you are already taking (which doesn't work) and you may find relief.  HUH? 

Americans as a group are some of the most effective consumers in the world: comparison shopping to pay the lowest price and making copious use of sales and coupons in order to stretch their budgets.  My father and sister compare notes almost daily about who found the best price on ice cream or milk, for example.   Why is it, then, that these American consumers appear to forget these well honed skills when it comes to medicine?

Setting aside all of the potential side effects that are rapidly listed at the end of the ads, let's look at this from an economic perspective.  How much do prescriptions cost?   Aha, therein lays the problem!   So many Americans are covered under prescription copay plans that $10 or even $20 may be considered minor for a month's supply of "something" that "might" be of benefit.   After all, it was on television so it must be good.

I'm not picking on antidepressants, but prescriptions in general.   I wonder how many people realize the actual cost for many of those medicines, especially those with brand names, is in excess of $200 for a 30-day supply.  Each!

"Who cares," seems to be a pervasive attitude.  "After all, my insurance company pays for it."

Is that so?  If you are an employee of a company with generous benefits you certainly might be shielded but those of you who are responsible for your own insurance premiums and have seen them more than double since 2000 know that those costs are just passed along.   Insurance, after all, is just like any other business and, contrary to popular opinion, insurance companies work hard to earn a relatively small profit margin.  Costs must be passed along.  Costs which are being driven up by thoughtless prescription drug usage.

Let's put those excellent American shopping habits to work and take control of health insurance costs.  I'm not suggesting that you stop taking worthwhile drugs that you really need.  What I am saying is to take a look at all the prescriptions you take, check them out online and make a list of questions to ask your doctor about them.  Do you need them all?  Are you taking any to offset the side effects of another, where a different drug or a change in habit may be equally as effective?   Why are you not on a generic version?

Americans, put consumerism in health care and let's help hold down costs!