The price of pills
Everyone knows my brother works for the Dark Side. He’s a pharmacist, and sometimes, he and I disagree. I’m lovely Luke Skywalker, except not so frail, he’s Dirty Darth Vader, except not my dad. Then I remember, he’s also a Pharmacist who spends his days championing a free clinic, and he sees things most humans couldn’t handle.
The following is authored by: Justin Coby PharmD
Apple Inc. made bank this year, there is no doubt. Their fourth quarter net profit for 2012 was $8.2 billion, up from 2011, which brought in $6.6 billion for this innovative company. Apple was expected to sell over 46 million iPhones over Christmas alone. I began to wonder why no one seems to mind the price of these machines.
Why do we continue to give our money over to the next Steve Jobs wonder toy with intoxicated grins on our faces, and not take this attitude in our own health and well-being?
As a pharmacist, the first of the year is always a challenge. The insurance companies all play a rousing game of musical chairs with their clients, and the pharmacies typically are left to tell them whether or not there is an open seat left. Needless to say, this information is rarely taken well.
Many folks get upset about new deductibles, increased co-pays, and changed drug formularies every year. They cry, “Crooks!” and “Injustice!” I see their point.
They pay for a service and expect a return. “Why are my prescriptions so damned expensive?!” they ask. “I don’t know,” I say with the smile I have perfected for these situations. It’s probably because you will die without them – I think that part but I don’t say it.
“Don’t these drug companies have enough money?!” they ask. I think to myself: Yes, but you will continue to pay, because it suits you better than the alternative.
Now, whose fault is this?
Is it Big Pharma? That evil conglomerate that surely shares a weekly brunch with Big Tobacco. Is it the insurance companies? Unfortunately we really can’t pin our anger on either of these two. They provide a service quite simply, and business is business.
I don’t believe the Pfizer shareholders care whether or not your copays are outrageous. I doubt the CEO of Express Scripts will lose sleep over your loss.
I strongly agree with the old adage that if you don’t like your situation then you had better change IT or YOU.
Somewhere along the line we have stopped thinking about our medical sciences in the same mysterious glow as our iPads. These life-maintaining little pills now are considered a right and not a valuable commodity that has taken great minds to develop over many years. Medications are so expensive because they have great value, and, here’s the dirty secret – people will continue to pay no matter how large the price. Reminds me of those nifty little iPhones that were sold out this Christmas.
Moral of the story is: Do today, that which prevents pills tomorrow. Otherwise, pay the price.
Warm-up:
Strength:
Hang Cleans( Just above the knee)
10×3
For time:
30-Wall ball
30-Push press 55/75
30-B0x jump 20/24
Auxiliary:
1000m-Row
Post impression to comments.
“Unfortunately we really can’t pin our anger on either of these two. They provide a service quite simply, and business is business.” While lobbying is, no doubt, problematic, your statement is truth. Word.
Nice article Justin. This is one of the reasons I initially joined crossfit, to rid myself of pills. Cholesterol, blood pressure, thyroid all pills that masked a bigger problem of not taking care of myself the way I should have. Modern pharmacology is pretty powerful, but when I see commercials for prescription diet pills, that claim you can lose weight and still eat “whatever you want” is where ridiculousness comes into play. Solve the root cause.
Great post Justin!
5am…very few and far between are those days that the majority came in order to check “workout” off the list for the day, or we just like the atmosphere and came hoping it would change our emotional state for the day. As your trainer, I got that feeling today from the majority. In all honesty, I’m ok with either reason you came in! And some really wanted to learn, push and get better. I want to remark about it because that’s not normally the carma at 5am. I get to train beasts, monsters, if you will, at 5am. But don’t be surprised if I let you know you didn’t bring your “A”. Maybe not even you “B” game. Check it and let’s keep wanting better, stronger, faster, fitter!!
5:14….should’ve been a rest day! I think I moaned & groaned for every one of those reps I did! But ill be back in for the 5k row:)
4:05 RX
5:08
Thanks for rowing that 5ker with me! It’s easier when you have someone to do it with. I’m still not quite sure how Mindy did it by herself at 5am? Lol
27:04
Uggh! You can thank Chris and his guilt trip!
4:42 rx 12# wall ball
4:29 1000mm row
One of my 2013 crossfit goals is to stop the WOD shenanigans and start NO REP-ING myself. Missed the red line 3 times in a row today. I would have counted those reps a few days back. My crossfit conscience is officially clear.
I used the 5am as a distraction, Renee. I pushed down the tracker so I couldnt even tell how far I had gone and watched you guys the whole time. I figured I would be on there at least 20 minutes before I had to start watching it, ha! Easiest 5k ever this morning
Between listening to Chas’s cues that I want to steal and watching all of you pull hang cleans, my mind was plenty distracted from pain!
Love your words Justin. Off topic but we are learning about energy in chemistry now… probably the only thing I will actually need to remember haha but I thought it was interesting because my teacher said because of the kinetic energy formula, people who are more balanced physically, like not too muscley, will be able to overcome more power. For example if there was someone coming at you at full force, an average person will have the better chance of taking the hit other than like a huge line backer. The formula is mass×velocity2
2
The 2 next to velocity is supposed to be an exponent.
So due to the fact that there is twice as much velocity than there is mass, it is better to be faster than more muscley. Which i thought was awesome because uhhh crossfit, you never stop! Always ahead of the game even when it comes to chemistry, way to be crossfitters
.
4:37 w/ 12lbs ball
moral of this whole comment… as much as I want to have Annie’s six pack and Julie’s arms… I should think about wanting to increase my speed on a wod like Fran.
4:34RX
6:54 RX
4:19 1,000 meter row
Awesome class as usual!
I love hearin you think out loud, Pres
*Like*
3:59rx
5:17
I didn’t time the row :/
catching up on my reading. brilliantly worded Dr. Coby.
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