Question

Pharmaceutical Industry: Discuss the pharmaceutical industry by addressing some (or all) of the following: The difference between prescription, generic, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Regulation of the pharmaceutical industry; does it protect our citizens? Analyze the cost differences among similar drugs. Evaluate several ways that pharmaceuticals are marketed. How does Medicare and the ACA treat prescription coverage access?

Answer 1

some facts about pharmaceutical industry...............

one of the fastest growing sector with biggest marketing researcher which spend nearly 2 tims of the money only on marketing as on developing them. ....

so as per your question i addressing some of the issues ......

1) PRESCRIPTION = meaning written instruction by a qualified medical practitioner on basis of that patient tcan get a medicine or treatment.

2), GENERIC drugs = in a simple terminology it is A COPY CAT OF A SAME DRUG....or DUPLICATE DRUG..OR TWIN BROTHER.....i.e. same active ingredient, same dose, same use, same route of administration, same side effect....BUT .....at low cost.....with FOLLOWING DIFFERENCE FORM BRANDED DRUGS.....AS , different name, different colour, different shape, different taste...

3). over-the-counter (OTC) drugs = other name is  nonprescription medicine i.e. it can be directly purchesed form the shop without any prescription.

Regulation of the pharmaceutical industry; does it protect our citizen =

as per this point citizen protection or patient safety is always the most important concern....none of the medicine can be available in the market if it was dealt with the life....

suppose after availability in marker .... one rare side effect is discovered that leads to seriously affect the patient ...in this case that complication must be recorded and reported ( as per the law and regulations - that done annually as a routein or SOS depending upon the conditions) and the nest LOT of the drug is tagged with BLACK BOX warning sign or may be that particular molecule is withdrawn from the market....

ways that pharmaceuticals are marketed =

1. Drug promotions to Professionals related to healthcare - usually by the follwing ways..giving details information of the new drug product with comperative study with similar product, .providing drug samples, sponsoring continuing medical education (CME)..and lastly gifting,

2. Advertising in medical or related Journals.

3. direct apporach to custmer by Consumer Advertising.