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Changing patterns of pharmaceutical practice in the United States

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  • Vuckovic, Nancy
  • Nichter, Mark

Abstract

In the United States, contradictions related to medicine use abound in a social environment in which the pursuit of health has become a cultural project. In a marketplace where over half a million health products are available, choices at once seem to foster agency and encourage dependency on medical fixes. The aggressive marketing of medicines as indispensable commodities co-exits with rising concerns among the lay population about what is safe in the short- and long-term. In this paper we broadly consider medication-related practice in the United States as it is affected by social, cultural, and political-economic factors. We direct attention to changes in medicine use related to product proliferation, lowered thresholds of discomfort, the economics of health care, and a revival of the self-help ethic. We also consider the manner in which the demand for and use of medications reflect deeply embedded cultural ideals and emergent perceptions of need. We juxtapose two trends in American thinking about medicines: (1) the perception that "more is better," associated with cultural impatience with illness; and (2) a growing doubt about medicine necessity, safety, and efficacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Vuckovic, Nancy & Nichter, Mark, 1997. "Changing patterns of pharmaceutical practice in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(9), pages 1285-1302, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:44:y:1997:i:9:p:1285-1302
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Misel Trajanovska & Elizabeth Manias & Noel Cranswick & Linda Johnston, 2010. "Parental management of childhood complaints: over‐the‐counter medicine use and advice‐seeking behaviours," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(13‐14), pages 2065-2075, July.
    2. Abel, Gregory A. & Glinert, Lewis H., 2008. "Chemotherapy as language: Sound symbolism in cancer medication names," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1863-1869, April.
    3. Baxerres, Carine & Le Hesran, Jean-Yves, 2011. "Where do pharmaceuticals on the market originate? An analysis of the informal drug supply in Cotonou, Benin," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(8), pages 1249-1256.
    4. Doran, Evan & Robertson, Jane & Henry, David, 2005. "Moral hazard and prescription medicine use in Australia--the patient perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1437-1443, April.
    5. Eaves, Emery R., 2015. "“Just Advil”: Harm reduction and identity construction in the consumption of over-the-counter medication for chronic pain," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 147-154.
    6. Childerhose, Janet E. & MacDonald, Margaret E., 2013. "Health consumption as work: The home pregnancy test as a domesticated health tool," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1-8.

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