Increased Rx Adverse Events

FDA Report on Increased Rx Adverse Events Points Americans to ''Drug-Less'' Approach to Patient Care

Following the publication of a report based upon U.S. Food and Drug Administration data that says serious adverse drug side effects -- and deaths stemming from them -- more than doubled from 1998-2005 (Archives of Internal Medicine; 9/10/07), The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress points to the value of “drug-less” care delivered by the nation’s chiropractors. The Foundation (www.f4cp.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care.

“One of the goals of the practice of chiropractic is to offer patients a non-drug oriented approach to addressing many health problems, and to assist patients in avoiding the use of over-the-counter and prescription drugs whenever possible -- to the greatest extent possible,” says Gerard W. Clum, D.C. president of Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward, Calif., and spokesperson for the Foundation. “This holistic approach to care benefits the patient and avoids the clear risks associated with taking unnecessary medications.”

According to the FDA report, from 1998 through 2005, reported serious adverse drug events increased 2.6-fold from 34,966 to 89,842, and fatal adverse drug events increased 2.7-fold from 5,519 to 15,107. Reported serious events increased 4 times faster than the total number of outpatient prescriptions during the period. Data for the report came from The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, in operation since 1998.

The announcement by the Foundation is consistent with The Identity Consultation of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), according to Clum. The WFC holds as a central tenet that chiropractors are the spinal health care experts in the health care system, and should work “without use of drugs and surgery, enabling patients to avoid these where possible.”

Dr. Clum points to a previously reported study which documents significant decrease in blood pressure following upper cervical chiropractic care using the NUCCA analysis and adjusting protocols. Results published in the March 2007 online issue of the Journal of Human Hypertension validate that this decrease is equivalent to taking two blood pressure drugs simultaneously,” says Dr. Clum. “Americans have valid, well established options of a drugless nature, the core of a chiropractor’s approach to wellness.”

Visit www.foundation4cp.com to access an online free health seekers calendar or call 916.359.0327.

About F4CP

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is a 501c6 corporation that represents a cross section of the chiropractic and vendor communities with the goal of increasing the public’s awareness of the benefits of chiropractic. www.f4cp.org.