Comments: Advertising Pays, Abilify's 2008 Sales Rocket Upwards
To be honest, it's really disturbing that the FDA allows ads like the ones running for Abilify on the basis of such terrible science and the result is a huge growth in sales, but even worse is the destruction in the quality of life of thousands, if not millions, of people. Read www.clinpsyc.blogspot.com today for more on this topic and an analysis of the "science."
Posted by Sara at January 27, 2009 11:35 AM
I was recently hospitalized for my depression and was asked to take Abilify and initially refused it, but I read up on it (both bad and good) and decided to try it.
I personally am disgusted by this kind of advertising, and didn't want to take any medicine that I saw an ad for.
But... Sine I've been on the Abilify (as an adjunct to my regular meds), I've been feeling so much better. I had a jittery feeling at first, but that's gone away.
I'm concerned about side effects, definitely.
I'm appalled at how big pharma works.
I'm willing to give this med a try, even if it seems naive of me.
I just need to find some way to live and become productive again.
That's my story.
Posted by Jennifer at January 28, 2009 06:35 AM
Jenniifer, thanks for sharing your story. Do you think there's any chance your "regular meds" may have contributed to your feeling of needing "to find a way to live and become productive again?" I hope your treatment continues to work for you but if things go south again be sure you understand how to get off carefully before continuing to escalate your treatment. There are always two options when meds don't seem to be working, not just one, that is you can reduce or (better yet) eliminate the exisiting meds or add new ones. You may not need to be a patient for the rest of your life.
Posted by Sara at January 28, 2009 08:55 AM