There is a strong financial incentive to encourage consumers to 'over-consume' drugs. While clearly some patients benefit from taking antidepressants, statins, and even antipsychotics, these drugs have become treatments of first rather than last resort for many people, because of the direct-to-consumer marketing of medications. Behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes, given the side effects of many drugs, might be a better way to treat milder forms of depression, high cholesterol, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Drug companies have a financial incentive in encouraging patients to seek out 'more' treatment for illnesses that disproportionately affect individuals with good health insurance. Additionally, drug companies have an incentive to constantly create and generate interest in new drugs, as patents for existing drugs have a limited shelf life -- although these drugs may not be designed for individuals with the greatest critical health needs. There will always be an ethical problem in the need balance profit-making...
Government support of drug research at pharmaceutical companies is one partial solution to this problem.
Another issue within the industry today is the question of appropriately testing drugs before they are marketed to consumers. "Prescription drugs kill some 200,000 Americans every year," and the current use of overseas locations for drug trials makes oversight by the FDA far more difficult than ever before (Bartlett & Steele 2011, p.1). More effective self-policing by the industry is required, as well as greater efforts in altruistic research and development, if drug companies are to continue to enjoy the good will and trust of patients and government regulators.
References
Bartlett, Donald & James Steele. (2011, January) Deadly medicine. Vanity Fair.
Retrieved January 9, 2011 at http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2011/01/deadly-medicine-201101
