Inadequate Product Regulation Management Is Plaguing The Healthcare Industry

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Technological advancements have allowed American consumers to access and purchase anything they desire. The same innovations have enabled entrepreneurs to develop various products and services and instantly advertise them to the masses. While these “freedoms” are an intricate part of what sets the US apart from other nations, they don’t come without risks. 

Take product safety, for example. When companies aren’t held accountable for the quality, safety, and effectiveness of their products and services, it puts consumers at risk of making ineffective purchasing decisions that cost them money and, in some cases, their health and wellness. 

Although government entities like the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) do their best to ensure the safety and protection of the general public, some fear it may not be sufficient. There’s an increased number of class action lawsuits against major brands whose products and services have had an adverse effect on consumer health that must be addressed. 

 

JUUL

About a decade ago, e-cigarettes and vaping became a social sensation. The idea of a tobacco-less smoking experience encouraged millions of consumers to jump on the bandwagon. Industry leaders like JUUL capitalized on the growing demand and began advertising their line of vapes and accessories to audiences of varying (and often illegal) ages. 

While this would appear to be an effective business decision, JUUL’s drive to succeed caused them to attract young audiences and hide critical information about their products' safety and potential risks. Many consumers experienced side effects, including difficulty breathing, spontaneous seizures, strokes, heart attacks, popcorn lungs, respiratory failure, and even death. 

These adverse outcomes led to the need for highly-qualified JUUL attorneys to help victims get the compensation they deserve. However, it also resulted in hospitals, private practices, and clinics receiving an influx of patients needing extensive and ongoing treatment to cure or manage life-threatening conditions. 

 

Johnson & Johnson

Healthcare professionals once viewed opioids as the go-to solution for pain management. They were frequently prescribed after surgeries and to patients suffering from significant injuries or life-threatening conditions. Although effective, healthcare professionals overlooked the high risk of addiction to opioids after long-term use. As such, many patients struggled with consequences like increased fractures, infections, cardiovascular complications, sleep problems, overdose, and death. 

Failure to disclose these potential side effects led to a nationwide epidemic, resulting in increased death rates, weakened the quality of life, addiction, and now, class action lawsuits. Although accountability rests on the shoulders of many, Johnson and Johnson is one of the four companies identified as the culprits of this national crisis and were recently ordered to pay billions to victims and their families. 

 

The Impact On The US Healthcare Systems

The limited product safety regulations and lackluster attempts of major brands like JUUL, Johnson & Johnson, and many others, have left US healthcare systems in a bind. Although hospitals, private practices, and clinics are available to prevent, diagnose, and treat medical problems, they weren’t designed to serve entire populations simultaneously. 

The influx of patients in need overwhelms the nation’s healthcare facilities. It places an undue amount of pressure on an already high-stress environment. From limited access to medical supplies and equipment to overworked staff and high turnover rates, the many obstacles lower the quality of care patients receive. 

 

Something Has To Change

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that overwhelmed healthcare systems substantially threaten the well-being of US citizens. If something doesn’t change soon, we’ll have a country full of needy patients without the medical resources to offer care. The bigger question is, what does change look like? 

One example would be developing stricter regulations and stiffer penalties for companies that follow unethical practices. If businesses were held to a higher standard, they’d be more inclined to ensure their products and services are safe and accurately disclose potentially harmful side effects.

Another practical solution to encourage change would be consumer awareness. Educating consumers on making effective purchasing decisions and putting a spotlight on product safety violations reduces the likelihood of consumers buying products that compromise their health and wellness. Lastly, consumers should be encouraged to speak out about negative experiences with specific products to reduce mass consumption and, ultimately, prevent others from being harmed. 

Healthcare facilities are designed to help support the health and wellness of citizens. However, poor product development, unethical marketing practices, and weak regulations make caring for the general public more challenging. Although it would be nice to live in a world where morals and ethics trump greed, that’s simply not the case. As such, government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, and consumers must work together to prevent these challenges from becoming an epidemic.