Prescription Drugs

Re “FDA Moves to Reduce Accidental Drug Deaths,” May 10:

Perhaps the fact that “more than 100,000 Americans are inadvertently killed every year by prescription drugs” needs to be on billboards rather than pharmaceutical company ads. Different segments of the media (as well as some physicians) need to look at their role in this: New medications are often presented as gifts directly from heaven. Nevermind that the benefits of most new drugs are often overblown and potential problems may arise that are not anticipated.

Clearly the benefits of appropriately used pharmaceuticals and the research that gets put into them need to be appreciated. It seems to me, however, that one of the very best ways to avoid death and injury from medications is a more careful attitude on when they should be sought after and prescribed.

HYMAN J. MILSTEIN MD

Studio City