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Joel Ian D. Espenilla NCM -RLEBSNII - 1N

Article:

Using Over-the-Counter Drugs To Treat Upper

Respiratory Infections May Save $4.75 Billion AnnuallyUsing nonprescription, or over-the-counter (OTC), medications to treatcommon upper respiratory infections could save $4.75 billion a year, accordingto a new study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University.

The study, led by Martin Lipsky, M.D., professor of family medicine atNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and dean of the Universityof Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, compared the results of using OTCmedications to treat upper respiratory infections with those with non-treatment.

Lipsky and colleagues found an average cost savings of $9 per episodeamong adults using OTCs to treat their symptoms. With an average of threeupper respiratory infection episodes per year among Americans age 18 to 65,this translates into potential annual savings of $4.75 billion.

Many factors involved in the treatment of common upper respiratoryinfections contribute to a major economic burden. This study suggests that whenadults use OTC medications to treat their symptoms, not only is there a symptombenefit, but there also appears to be a substantial cost savings to the healthcaresystem and the economy alike, Lipsky said.

Its important for people to understand the signs and symptoms of thesecommon conditions and to know that many nonprescription products areavailable to treat symptoms at a fairly low cost, Lipsky said. The common cold isa leading cause of missed workdays and decreased productivity, resulting in anaverage loss of 8.7 work hours per cold episode. The economic impact of this lostproductivity is estimated at $25 billion, with $16.6 billion attributed to on-the-jobproductivity loss.

Each year, especially during cold season, the economy takes a big hitfrom missed time from work and loss of on-the-job productivity, said studyeconomist Teresa Waters, associate director for research, Center for HealthServices Research, and associate professor, department of preventativemedicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

By alleviating symptoms, OTCs keep people more productive and reducephysician visits, without compromising health outcomes. This may be the firststudy to clearly demonstrate these benefits from the use of nonprescriptionmedications, Waters said.

Reaction:

The use of OTC drugs as treatment for URTI is a very effective andcheaper way to treat URTIs. Most commonly in our socio-economic downfall,cheaper and cheaper valuables can now be afford, so why not in medicine. Notonly in the US where economic crisis is visible, but also in any part of the world,most especially in the Philippines. With many economic downfalls and moregrowing population that we have, cheaper medicines to treat illnesses is a must,especially in the poor urban areas. There must also be some studies on how toprevent the spread of URTIs especially most of these infections are airborne. Assaid, prevention is better than cure, so the more we prevent these infection, themore we are safe.

OTC drugs for treatment of URTIs is a big step for the health of people,lessening payments on hospital bills and visits, check-ups, and will save money.

It is also a big help that health centers these days are giving free medicine forthe poor and the needy.

Also, people must be aware of the dangers of the environment, specially

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these times where diseases are everywhere. Prevention, as always, is better thancure. An if prevention is not enough, OTC drugs are now there to help to preventbig medical bills.