1. Slow Costs
1.1. Reference Pricing
1.1.1. A payer, such as an insurer or national health system, sets payment for a group of similar drugs based on a benchmark. The benchmark, or reference price, typically is determined by the price of the lowest-cost drug in the group or some type of average price.
1.2. Switch patients from branded medications to generics when possible
1.3. Comparative cost-effectiveness analysis
1.3.1. That analysis seeks to establish which of several alternative medication strategies capable of achieving a given goal is the least-cost strategy.
1.4. Importation of lower-priced drugs
1.4.1. Allow U.S. licensed pharmacies and drug wholesalers to import FDA-approved medications from Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan and pass along the savings to their American customers.
2. Big Pharma's Power and Influence
2.1. Illegally marketing drugs. Corporations are fined but it's small relative to the profits.
2.1.1. Federal Gov't needs to start holding individuals responsible. Fines paid from Pharma Corportions have become just the "Costs of doing business."
2.1.1.1. Not a single executive has been charged -- even though some charges against the company are criminal.
2.2. Stop allowing Pharametucial Ads on TV
2.2.1. Consumers can't buy them and they shouldn't be influencing doctor's decisions. Before 1997, the Food and Drug Administration banned such advertising on TV and radio. That ban should be resurrected.
2.3. Stop allowing doctors to accept any perks at all from companies whose drugs they write prescriptions for.
2.3.1. It's an inherent conflict of interest. Codes of ethics that are supposed to limit such gifts obviously don't work. All perks should be banned, and doctors that accept them should be subject to potential loss of their license to practice.
3. Top Drug Alternatives to Most Prescribed Drugs
3.1. For Pain: Hydrocodone/ acetaminophen, such as Vicodin
3.1.1. Natural Remedy: Try Some Hands-On Help.
3.1.1.1. Science supports the claims: People with lower back pain who received just four chiropractic treatment sessions in two weeks showed greater improvement in disability and pain compared to those receiving usual care
3.2. For High Cholesterol: Statins, such as simvastatin (Zocor) or atorvastatin (Lipitor)
3.2.1. Natural Remedy: Change Your Diet.
3.2.1.1. Certain foods—such as oats, garlic, olive oil, and red wine—can help reduce inflammation in your body and have been proven to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol or raise “good” HDL cholesterol naturally.
3.2.1.2. Eating a small square of dark chocolate three to four times a week may be 25 times as effective as taking statins for preventing heart disease
3.3. For Depression: Sertraline HCL (Zoloft)
3.3.1. Put More Fish on Your Dish.
3.3.1.1. Some research finds that fish oil can have an anti-depressant effect.
3.4. For High Blood Pressure: Lisinopril (Zestril) or amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)
3.4.1. Natural Remedy: Up Your Intake of
3.4.1.1. Potassium (500 mg a day—present in a banana or a cup of tomato juice or coconut water)
3.4.1.2. Magnesium (200 mg a day) are especially effective at lowering blood pressure in most people.
3.5. For Acid Reflux: Omeprazole (Prilosec)
3.5.1. Natural Remedy: Try Herbal Relief First.
3.5.1.1. Trying an herbal fix, such as slippery-elm lozenges from your local health food store, to see if it eases symptoms before going on meds.
3.5.1.1.1. Slippery elm coats the throat and stomach; has antioxidants that help relieve inflammation in your intestines; and boosts mucus production to help protect your gastrointestinal tract from excess acid.
3.5.1.2. Simple lifestyle changes, such as pinpointing food sensitivities so you can steer clear of your trigger foods, eating slowly, and managing stress will make the biggest difference in the long run.
3.6. For Hypothyroid: Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid)
3.6.1. Natural Remedy: Check for Mineral Deficiencies.
3.6.1.1. Low thyroid problems might happen because the thyroid is being attacked by your own immune system, but it can also occurs from mineral deficiencies such as iodine, iron, or selenium.
3.6.1.2. Talk to your doctor about whether taking mineral supplements before going on meds might be for you, or whether natural thyroid glandular supplements, such as BMR Complex by Integrative Therapeutics, might be helpful.