"When patients ask for a drug, they tend to get a drug regardless of whether it is appropriate for them,"
Oh dear, we can't have the peons making their own decisions about what drugs to try, now can we? Given that doctors now spend about 10 minutes with each patient, it's a safe bet that, on average, a reasonably intelligent and college educated patient has at least as good judgment as the doctor as to "whether it is appropriate for them". I mean, we're talking about anitdepressants here, not OxyContin or newer antibiotics that need to be reserved for severe antibiotic-resistant infections on public health grounds.
Well.....my story is the Rheumatologist I saw was REALLY excited about me getting FREE Humera - you know....one of those advertised everywhere with all the side effects? He claimed he could get me in a study of some sort.....of course, I was NOT sure I had Rheumatoid Arthritis (I still do not think I do (likely Lyme disease) - 4 months later).....but, he did tell me I'd be spending $10,000 a year on drugs.....I fired him. I use a simple/cheap antibiotic and aspirin....
Hey, no problem with that. Except that the same peons, a year from now, are going to be responding to that next set of ads that say, "Ever take Vioxx? Ever feel sick?? Then dial 1-800-DIRTBAG and SUE THE BASTARDS!!!!"