The right medications for best value

Using the right medication appropriately under the right conditions can beinvaluable to assuring health and well being. Medications have a unique role in healthcare and continue to grow in value:

Vaccines have freed us from small pox and now make cervical cancer much less likely. Malaria pills and travel vaccinations assist us in crossing new borders without fear of parasitic conditions. Anti-fungal pills and creams now target various fungal skin infections for full recovery. Newer antibiotics have arisen to tackle resistant strains of bacteria and encourage recovery from dangerous infections even in critical care. Statins reduce the risk of premature heart attacks from elevated blood cholesterol levels. Diabetes medications now prevent blindness, limb amputation and kidney failure from uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Painful exacerbations from conditions like gout, arthritis, lupus or migraine are now better controlled to return a much improved quality of life.

Cancer medications now greatly increase survival, being many times more precise for targeting cancer cells and focusing the body's defenses. Cures and preventive options for Avian flu, SARS and AIDS are continually researched and may very well be just around the corner. The list goes on but is always balanced by the potential for harm.