FDA warns: Drugs cause over 2 million ‘adverse’ reactions per year

Posted by: Lori Alton, staff writer in Drug Dangers February 9, 2016

(NaturalHealth365) For years, proponents of natural health have been pointing to horrific statistics that show conventional medicine is falling woefully short when it comes to providing safe and effective treatment options, particularly when it comes to the use of pharmaceuticals. But the health-conscious aren’t the only ones pointing out the number falling prey to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other medical incidents.

Incredibly, the very same federal agency approving pharmaceuticals for the masses has significant warnings to those seeking out information on its website regarding the drug approval process. In its resource materials on labeling and drug interaction, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions big pharma that the industry is at the root of a problem that causes over 2 million deaths each year due to reaction to approved drugs.

FDA identifies adverse drug reactions as leading cause of death and injury

But perhaps one of the most striking statements made by the FDA on its website is that in identifying reasons why there are so many adverse drug reactions, the agency lists as its top cause the fact that over two-thirds of patient visits to medical providers result in a prescription. This strongly implies the agency is linking an overabundance of drug prescriptions to one of the leading causes of death in the nation – adverse drug reaction.

Could it be at least some at the FDA are in agreement with a growing number of informed citizens that the profit-hungry pharmaceutical industry is too influential when it comes to conventional medical practices?

The agency even goes so far as to suggest the top issue on every healthcare provider’s mind should be, “Why is it important to learn about ADRs?” The answer, of course, is because ADRs are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in health care.

Editor’s Note: To read all about what the FDA says – click here for the entire report.

Numbers don’t lie: Shocking story about the impact of big pharma

The Institute of Medicine reported back in January of 2000 that anywhere from 44,000 to 98,000 deaths each year occur as the result of medical errors. Of those, the report estimates at least 7,000 deaths occur because of ADRs.

But other studies since have put those numbers considerably higher when it comes to the overall incidence of adverse reactions to prescription drugs, with many estimating as many as 7 percent of all hospitalized patients experience a serious drug-related reaction with a resulting fatality rate of about 0.32 percent.

Based on these figures, there are likely well over 2 million serious pharmaceutical-related reactions in hospitalized patients every year, with over 100,000 deaths as a result. Further studies conducted on hospitalized patient populations have placed much higher estimates on the overall incidence of serious ADRs.

Based on those statistics alone, ADRs could be considered the fourth leading cause of death, just behind health issues like cancer and heart disease, yet ahead of such killers as pneumonia, pulmonary disease, diabetes and fatal car accidents. Yet, these statistics only consider reactions that occur during hospitalization.

Legally prescribed drugs are causing massive collateral damage

An estimated 350,000 serious pharmaceutical-related reactions occur every year in nursing homes in the U.S. There are few available estimates for the number of injuries and deaths linked to pharmaceuticals that occur in clinics, ambulances, personal residences and other settings outside hospitals. Add to that the unknown number of unreported or wrongly attributed ADRs, and the picture becomes very clear that a hugely significant number of deaths and other serious reactions are occurring that are almost entirely preventable.

ADRs are only a part of the story, however. Other risks include unnecessary surgical procedures and surgical errors, over-prescribing of antibiotics, unnecessary x-rays, unnecessary caesarean sections, infection exposure during unnecessary hospital stays, unproven therapies, and mistreatment and malnutrition of the poor, the disabled and the elderly.

Protect your health: Investigate the benefits of natural solutions

You and your loved ones do not have to be at risk of becoming a part of these frightening statistics. Become knowledgeable about the many effective ways of preventing and treating health concerns to avoid reliance on pharmaceuticals.

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Do your own research to ensure your family’s healthcare providers, including oral health provider, can be trusted to understand the importance of natural health and healing. By acknowledging the immense impact that diet, lifestyle and the environment around you can have on your health and longevity, you become proactive in safeguarding your own health.

http://www.naturalhealth365.com/fda-big-pharma-drug-interaction-173...

References:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentReso...
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentReso...
http://www.webdc.com/pdfs/deathbymedicine.pdf