There has been an addiction issue that has baffled me for many years that I would like to share with you. Why do professionals prescribe an opioid medication without a clear legal written or verbal warning that such medication can activate addiction if taken over a recommended specific length of time?
Last weekend I was listening to Radio 702 hosted by Sara-Jayne King. The program was supporting addiction awareness month, her guest was Dr Shaquir Salduker, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists. He spoke about addiction and addictive prescribed drugs. He confirmed it had become a widespread problem in South Africa, and in particular, mentioned how codeine-based medication was one of the main culprits. Codeine is not only used in painkillers but also cough mixtures bought over the counter. He went on to explain that the metabolic structure of codeine is classified as an opioid, similar to heroin. He was then asked by Sechaba, responding to some caller's messages some who had been addicted to such medication, why Doctors don’t warn patients about these dangers. He responded that Doctors should warn patients about the addictive potential of these medications and inform them they should not take them for more than a specified time to prevent possible active addiction, but not all doctors do.
As an addict in remission of addiction as well as a wellness counsellor specialising in addiction recovery, this is madness! Patients suffering from pain or a common cough are not made fully aware of the dangers of codeine side effects as well as any other opiate-based medication. So my question is, why is there not a warning sign put on all packets, bottles or any form of containers containing such medication?
“WARNING!”
This medication is addictive if used for more than 7 days and can activate the life-changing disease of Addiction.
We see such warnings on cigarette packs and alcohol containers. Having such labels on medication packaging would at least inform the general public about the dangers and possible addictive side effects if the Doctor might not have mentioned it to you clearly when prescribing such medication.
The question I have is this: has, and is, the pharmaceutical industry allowing greed to get the better of the well-being and long-term quality of life for all of us? If they really are the caring businesses we like to believe they are, I'm sure they would be more than happy to protect us all against the dangers of addiction from codeine and opioid medication prescribed or bought over the counter and agree to label all such medication with a warning sign that is clear and blunt. The paper information leaflet inside such packaging is what is called small print, which is not acceptable. In this case, I don't believe we, the general public, should be expected to take responsibility for the side effects, specifically active addiction, because we didn't read the leaflet, written mostly in medical lingo. So, if by not instituting such health and safety legislation for the well-being of the general public, could it be possible most pharmaceutical manufacturers have a more profitable agenda behind not informing us of the devastating, life-changing side effects of certain addictive medications by not having such warning labels on their medication packaging?
I am trying to get support to have this warning put on all addictive medication. Please help me by following me on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram and if you support such an initiative please share this post with as many people you might feel could help me reach the people who could help make such a thing happen.
If you haven’t watched the series “Dopesick” on Disney +, I fully recommend you take the time to watch this true story.
“Dopesick” trailer: youtu.be/EzrLrUG2QV
It focuses on the drug OxyContin, a highly addictive medication produced by a pharmaceutical company called Purdue Pharma founded, owned and controlled by the Sackler family. The latest legal case against the Sackler family in a bankruptcy court was completed in late 2021. The outcome was the Sackler family members board won immunity from any related Opioid Lawsuits. Watch the series to understand how insane this outcome is, and how greed and power within such pharmaceutical companies tend to give little value to life.
Bloomberg article on the case: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-03-04-us-states-win-case-forcing-sackler-family-to-pay-more-for-enabling-opioid-crisis
Go figure, thousands of people’s lives have been destroyed by such drugs. What they thought was a way to have pain relief, became an addiction nightmare. Watching “Dopesick” and reading about Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family I have concluded that they are equivalent to a drug cartel under the disguise of a Pharmaceutical manufacturing company that was once trusted and admired but promoted by lies.
Comments