Commercials Hardly the Best Medicine 

      by LIZ THOMPSON
 

The mute button on our TV remote control is well used. I mute commercials.

The volume booms and most of the time, the people are shouting. They must want us to hear them when we leave the room – which is a strong likelihood. Time to get water, check our e-mail, or put the dog out.

I understand commercials are necessary to sponsor TV programs. There are some advertisements I do watch because they are creative, positive and even funny. I can always use a good laugh.

One ad I think of is for insurance. A man and woman are in the front seat of a van, they glance at their young son in his car seat in the back. The camera moves to the front again. Then the mom looks back at the son and he is a full-grown adult. The wording, "Life comes as you fast," is true. When our children were young, I heard often, "Don't blink or they'll be grown before you know it!"

Since we have moved back to Ohio, my husband asked me to check out the Golden Buckeye card, since he qualifies, to see if we can use it for discounts. The new card is on the way and I even qualify since I am on disability.

I checked the Golden Buckeye Web site to find businesses honoring the card in Grove City and there were plenty. Then checking the pharmacies which honor it, I checked the prices with discount for the few medicines I take. Each of the medications would cost more than $100 a month without insurance and about $60 to $80 with the Golden Buckeye discount.

This immediately gave new meaning to the news that many seniors on fixed incomes must choose between buying food or medicine. This fact is filtering into the younger population as well.

For months I have been annoyed at the barrage of TV commercials for medicine – antidepressants, incontinence, plaque and cholesterol reducing, allergies, sleeping pills, and the list continues to grow.

There was one ad that ran for awhile that never told what this medicine was for! The announcer simply said, "Ask your doctor if this is right for you." Our family doctor told my husband that since these advertisements began, he has been deluged by calls wondering if "this medicine was right for them."

The solution is clear to me. Stop the advertisements and cut the cost of the medicine so seniors and people with limited income can wisely improve their quality of life. If the companies making these pills would slash their advertising expenses from the cost of medicine, businesses could better afford to offer insurance to employees.

Wake up America – there isn't a pill for every, little (or large) physical problem. If you cry often, it does not necessarily mean you are depressed. There are ten typical symptoms and you must have more than one to need a pill. If you do need medicine, talk to your doctor.

It might be better to rethink your diet and exercise habits if your cholesterol is high. When that does not work, then think about medicine.

Generally improving our health comes from getting off the couch, eating fresh foods – and cooking at home more often so you know what you are eating – not necessarily lining up your bottles of medicine and popping pills into your system unnecessarily.

If the idea of cooking abhors you, or is not physically possible, ask if anyone in your home is interested. When our children were teens, they all helped prepare meals. Another resource is the Food Network where there are a wide variety of cooking shows and recipes ranging from the 30 minute meals to Julia Child wannabes.

I am not a fitness or health guru. Yes, occasionally I eat junk food and sometimes the couch beckons me to stay longer than I should.

Yes, I have a bit of an excuse for the extra pounds since much exercise, including walks, is not possible for me due to having multiple sclerosis.

But when I can visit the Farmer's Market every Saturday in Grove City and buy fresh fruits and vegetables, my excuses fade. We even have tomatoes and herbs growing in our yard, thanks to the herb sale in our town and Chad and Anna, two of our generous neighbors.

It's time we each take a moment to reflect whether our lifestyle can change in some way to improve our health. The power of suggestion is strong coming from our TV. The ads tell us it's time for a snack or time to call our doctor. At about 7:30 p.m., the commercials for sleeping pills begin.

Don't get me wrong, I know the need for medicine is real for many people, including me. Most of us would fare better by increasing activity, eating better and maybe watching less TV.

Heads up drug companies: cut the advertising, cut the cost of medicine and we'll all feel better.
 
Published in Suburban News Publications
08-02-06

Liz Thompson is a freelance writer and former Suburban News Publications reporter who lives in Grove City with her husband, Bob.