Research before using new meds

By Divya Malik

In the 1960s, approximately 10,000 babies were born with severe birth defects that included missing or shortened limbs. Almost all of these babies suffered from an absence of most of their arms, thumbs and adjoining bones in the lower arm. Their hands extended like flippers from their shoulders. Other common malfunctions occurred in their legs, heart, ears, genitals and kidneys.

It was later discovered that these horrendous defects were caused by the prescription drug thalidomide. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, thalidomide was used by pregnant women across Europe, Canada and the United States to treat morning sickness. Although it rid these unsuspecting mothers of their morning ailments, it led to more severe repercussions, as it was later discovered that even a single dose could cause defects in the unborn child.

As soon as researchers realized that the popular drug caused these devastating birth defects, the drug was banned worldwide. But the banning of this drug came a little too late for the innocent babies who fell victim to its horrible defects.

That was in the 1960s, and while we may assume that medicine is much too advanced to allow such a medical tragedy to occur again, it seems that times are repeating themselves.

According to AboutLawsuits.com, the popular birth controls Yaz and Yasmin do not only prevent 99% of pregnancies, treat acne and safeguard against premenstrual depression, but also cause women serious life threatening injuries.

Yaz and Yasmin, which are both manufactured by Bayer, are combined oral contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol, long used in oral contraceptives, and drospirenone, a new type of progestin that is not present in any other birth control pill.

Researchers, health advocates and lawyers are claiming that these birth control pills have put women at higher risk for blood clots, strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease, cardiac arrests and sudden death. Lawsuits against these pills all contain similar allegations that attribute the ingredient, drospierenone, as the cause of women's health issues.

The FDA cited that these drugs have caused women as young as 17 to die suddenly. In total, they are responsible for causing 50 deaths between early 2004 and late 2008.

Similar questions have been raised about the common HPV vaccine, Gardasil, which prevents women and girls from developing several forms of cervical cancer. The vaccine has been highly recommended for women ages 9-26. But according to ABC News, as of June 1 2009, the Centers for Disease Control has reported that of the more than 25 million doses of Gardasil that have been distributed in the United States, 53.9 for every 100,000 vaccine doses were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Of those, 32 were reported as deaths.

It is disheartening to know that while our technology is advancing at the speed of light, medical incidents such as the thalidomide tragedy are still occurring as they did 50 years ago.

As individuals living in a society that prizes instant gratification, if we want something, we want it now. But instead of running to the drugs, we should stand by the fence and observe the consequences they could possibly have.

This should be taken into consideration with the recent H1N1 flu outbreak.

States are reporting that they do not have enough vaccines to circulate in their communities and are begging the FDA to send more. But how long has this drug been out for the public to use? A few months perhaps? Do we know of any possible consequences that can occur if we take these vaccines?

These drugs have not been on the market long enough for researchers to realize the consequences they could have on our nation. These "preventative" vaccines might prevent you from developing swine flu or HPV, but at what cost? It is our responsibility to inform ourselves as much as we can about any new drugs or vaccines that are introduced to us as seemingly safe. We should research as much as we can about these products to be sure that it is safe to use them. This can be the difference between living healthily and falling victim to another unsafe drug.

Divya Malik is a psychology and political science double major.