Rising costs for prescription drugs are leaving many citizens facing terrible decisions. The population of the United States has a high percentage of people in all demographics that are on regular prescription maintenance drugs, and as the population ages, this percentage climbs.
Costly Maintenance Drugs Lead to Impossible Choices
If you’re working hard to eat a healthier diet to manage your diabetes, you’re likely leaving cheap food on the shelf. Pasta and rice can be filling, but they make it tough to control your blood sugar.
Unfortunately, the high cost of insulin may put healthier groceries out of reach. An insulin monopoly exists that forces diabetics to pay exorbitant rates or go without.
Insulin, as a therapeutic medication, is over 100 years old. Yet only three companies make insulin and it’s under patent, limiting production opportunities and keeping costs high.
New Drugs, High Costs
Additionally, the market is constantly loaded with new medications that have an extensive R&D process as well as patent pressures. The cost of marketing alone for many of these products is likely quite costly.
It is quite concerning that 70% of Americans were on at least one prescription drug as of 2013. Antibiotics were the most common and are generally a short-term prescription, but anti-depressants and painkillers were also on the list of commonly prescribed products.
Obviously, these drug prescriptions are necessary for the health and maintenance of patients. Many of these drugs can also be an investment in a healthier future, such as weight loss drugs. However, at $1,000 a month in some cases, such medications are simply out of reach for those who need them most.
Demographic Considerations
In the prescription drug study noted above, demographic changes are to be considered. In the population of citizens over 30, cholesterol and blood pressure medications were also prescribed at a high level.
As the large baby boomer population ages past 70, arthritis medications and other non-opioid pain medications in prescription form are rising in terms of popularity. For this population, the rising costs of prescription drugs is doubly concerning; they need more medications and have less income to commit to these prescriptions.
Drug Price Controls
Because there are many drugs that are priced by a small number of manufacturers, implementing drug price controls may be nearly impossible. Drug companies invest in R&D that can save the lives of many, but they also invest in lobbyists to protect their interests.
The for-profit model is here to stay. Until drug patent laws change and more prescription drugs move into the public domain, the implementation of price controls will be a legislative battle that patients are unlikely to win.
Hormonal Maintenance Medications
As we age, both men and women suffer due to hormonal fluctuations. While menopause gets a lot of press, men may suffer loss of testosterone and other hormones necessary for muscle maintenance and overall vigor. In such cases, a synthetic growth hormone may provide relief. For women experiencing menopause, products like those offered by Vellabio can help manage symptoms and improve sexual wellness.
It should be noted that a gradual loss of growth hormones is natural over time. However, a rapid drop in hormones such as testosterone can be an indication of serious health concerns. If a man or woman notices a rapid loss of any of the following, it’s time to talk to your doctor:
- energy
- muscle strength
- flexibility
- balance
A rapid loss of the HGH your body naturally generates could be an indication of a serious endocrine issue, such as a pituitary tumor.
If you’re consider HGH therapy to overcome the natural loss of aging, you may be dismayed by the current HGH price in USA. For men, a total bill of $1,200 a month is not uncommon, paid for via weekly injections. Women can expect to pay a bit less, but may still need to come up with $1,000 a month.
It’s About Maintenance
The choice to use growth hormones to maintain health, flexibility and strength is costly. It’s also a method of maintenance for your body over time. The use of growth hormones for body-building is not healthy over the long-term.
You will also need to undergo stringent testing before you can be given growth hormone. HGH in different forms can interact badly with other prescription medications. Synthetic growth hormone may cause an allergic reaction that can be deadly. Blood tests are just the start of your HGH treatment plan.
Careful monitoring will also be necessary to make sure that any synthetic HGH products are not causing an unhealthy impact over time. If you’re considering getting blood test for HGH supplementation, let your primary care doctor know. The risk of interaction or of an unhealthy response will need to be weighed before you undergo any HGH injections.
Staying fit, strong and limber throughout our lives is a common and worthwhile goal. A quality diet, regular exercise and stress management routine can be a great start for this healthy life. If you find that time has taken away your strength and energy, a blood test and check of your HGH levels may give you the information you need to make the next right choice for your health.