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The economics of overmedication

By LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Published October 18, 2006

The economics of overmedication

Elizabeth J. Roberts' column brings to attention a rapidly growing problem in overdiagnosis and overmedication of children thought to have psychiatric problems. I'd like to point out an important economic consequence to this phenomenon.

I'm a pediatric cardiologist and have noticed a huge increase in referrals to our practice for cardiac evaluation of children on stimulants for treatment of hyperactivity/attention-deficit syndrome. This is mainly because of the Food and Drug Administration's "alert" that indicated that pre-existing cardiac structural abnormalities were a major factor in the 19 deaths in children on amphetamines to treat this condition. The physicians' and psychiatrists' motivation for sending the patients is partly for the benefit of the children, but largely to avoid litigation.

We now have an example to help explain why the cost of medicine in the United States is getting out of control - namely, overdiagnosis, overmedication, government "help," marginally appropriate specialist consultation (and the subsequent testing) and the fear of being sued.

James G. Henry, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics, USF School of Medicine, St. Petersburg

Doctors' prescription: Give kids time to play Oct. 9.

Let kids be kids

This story contains the words "stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids." All too true!

It seems children have no time to grow and use their own imagination in their play. Their nonschool time is planned and scheduled for them. There are even such foolish things as "play dates" for babies. When older, they are signed up for various regulated sports.

It used to be that children would get together, choose up sides and just "play ball." Now, spontaneity is not in their vocabulary. Children need free time to just run, climb a tree, make a clubhouse, etc. - and just be children.

Dorothy E. Karkheck, Dunedin

Breast Cancer 3-Day

Coverage of 3-Day event disappointing

This past weekend I participated in the breast cancer 3-Day walk, which covered 60 miles in Pinellas County. As I walked with 1,700 other people (who collectively raised $4.6-million), I was constantly impressed with the outpouring of support from businesses and citizens of Pinellas County. Adults and children lined the streets to demonstrate their support and gratitude for the walkers and to bolster our spirits; local businesses offered us complimentary food and drink to replenish our exhausted bodies. Three-hundred-twenty-five people volunteered their time over three days to direct traffic, serve food, administer much-needed medical attention and provide security at the campsite.

Every three minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer incidence in women has increased from one in 20 in 1960 to one in eight today. Everyone has a mother, a sister, a mother-in-law, a wife or a friend who is susceptible to this disease. In addition, one might be shocked to learn that 1,200 cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed each year.

So why is it that the St. Petersburg Times chose to give this significant event such insignificant coverage? Yes, you ran a few pictures with expanded captions, but did you not deem it important enough to have a reporter even write one article? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the recipients of an entire section, and their first win received front-page coverage.

I suggest that the real heroes of this weekend were the men and women who participated in the three-day event in support of those who have survived breast cancer and in memory of those who have not.

Ronnie Weston, Palm Harbor

Breast cancer walk was an awesome sight

Sunday morning, 7:40 a.m., as I was traveling on Tyrone Boulevard, I made my turn onto 22nd Avenue N. As I crossed 66th Street, I was brought to tears as I rounded the corner and saw people stretched from 66th Street all the way around and past Tyrone Square Mall, as far as Anvil Street. They were all walking for Breast Cancer. All I could do was honk my horn and wave.

Thank you all for showing such incredible support for such a necessary cause. My mother had a radical mastectomy in the late 1970s, and this is something she would have been involved in if she was still here on earth. The bravery and caring of all those who walked is simply the most impressive show of love I have ever witnessed.

Mary E. Parker, St. Petersburg

Dot.com: a new kind of discrimination

I'd like to address a new type of discrimination: dot.com. If companies don't include a phone number in addition to their Web address, then I say "Don't use the product!" I feel very left out when I see or hear something and can't use the Internet to order or comment.

You may say, "Get a computer." Well, that's possible, but $50 - or even $9.95 - a month for Internet service, is not, at least for me - and I'm sure for many others who have the desire to be a part of this world.

Linda Kirkwood, St. Petersburg

Spend tax dollars to sway votes? An outrage Oct. 12

Libertarian leanings?

I agree with Howard Troxler. It's right out of Stalinist Russia for government to be collecting tax dollars and then telling people with those dollars what to vote for, or against.

But isn't the larger problem, Howard, the notion of the nanny state, where both Democrats (mostly) and Republicans (to a lesser degree) believe they can tell, both intellectually and morally, the individual in American society, what to believe, what to do and how to do it?

Howard, are you becoming a libertarian, or maybe even a conservative, as you enter middle age?

Bobby Thompson, Tampa

Associate conductor to leave Florida Orchestra Oct. 12

A discouraging salary gap

It was interesting to note the salary of Susan Haig, the associate conductor of the Florida Orchestra, and the potential income of Chris Simms, the erstwhile quarterback for the Tampa Bay Bucs (Simms turned down $10-million, Oct. 12). This shows that the wannabe jocks who like to watch millionaire jocks knock each other down are obviously dominant in our society.

Haig's $63,000 compared to Simms' offer of $10-million is the best proof I can find of the limited evolution of the human species - especially the American branch.

Graal Braun, St. Petersburg

Will the NRA help? Oct. 11

Don't blame the NRA

I don't know what particular beef the letter writer has with the National Rifle Association other than the fact that firearms are still legal in this country. Of course we know that firearms were invented long before the NRA was organized and will continue to exist even if the NRA were to disappear and guns were banned completely.

Only a complete antigun nut would think that the NRA endorses murder. Every time a letter like this is printed an NRA member like myself takes exception. Does the letter writer think that all 3-million or so NRA members are that irresponsible or that we should forfeit our gun rights because of the actions of criminals who respect no laws?

Leonard Martino, Tampa

The rush to medicate our young Oct. 11.

[Last modified October 18, 2006, 08:28:30]