It hit home with a lot of viewers…
“Irish people love their pills. Every year we spend €500 for every man, woman and child in Ireland on pharmaceuticals – that’s 40% higher than the EU average. Since 2000 the number of prescribed drugs we are consuming has grown from 32 million to 73.5 million items in 2015. Drugs can undoubtedly bring great benefits, but there are also risks.”
The show opens with this introduction from Dr Eva Orsmond as she examines Ireland’s relationship with over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
While the issue of drugs is undoubtedly a worldwide problem, Dr Orsmond is keen to localise it, presenting statements like: “In Ireland, there’s an expression – there’s a pill for every ill.
The statistics paint a grim picture when you consider that Ireland has twice as many pharmacies per capita than Britain, and 77% more per person on prescription drugs than Norway.
The show had harrowing accounts from people around the country and interviews with various experts which struck home with a lot viewers watching at home.
https://twitter.com/hilarydaly/status/826192436795826177
Early intervention for mental health issues is key. Here's a practical example @DrEvaOrsmond #medicationnation https://t.co/THiFlsbUF3
— Fiona Forman (@FionaWellBeing) January 30, 2017
Anti-Depressants may help some, counselling/CBT/DBT & mindfulness may help others. It's not a one size fits all! #medicationnation
— L. NíHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) January 30, 2017
Clear role for pharmacists to work alongside GPs in primary care in Ireland to rationalise prescribing #medicationnation
— Paul McCague (@paulmccague) January 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/dtodd_ni/status/826210438077640704
Although there was a school of thought which suggested the show was unfairly biased and dismissive towards those on medications for depression and anxiety.
Of all the bad mental health documentaries I've seen on RTE #medicationnation was probably the worst. Simplistic judgemental drivel #cblive
— Ray 🇵🇸 (@RayMcGrath) January 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/AodhBC/status/826198335228887040
https://twitter.com/Claire_McGing/status/826199316947558400
Please do not stop taking any prescribed medications before discussing it first with your GP/psychiatrist #medicationnation
— June Shannon (@juneshannon) January 30, 2017
I would not be alive today without antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. This is dangerous scaremongering. #MedicationNation
— Mary Walsh (@MaryRuthW18) January 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/AutumnAurelia/status/826203826935963650
What did you think of the show? if you missed it, you can catch it on the RTÉ player here.
If you’ve been affected by issues raised in this programme please contact the
HSE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL NATIONAL HELPLINE
FREEPHONE 1800 459 459
9.30am to 5.30pm
Confidential support and information service
http://www.hse.ie/go/drugshivhelpline
The Samaritans:
24 hr helpline: 116123 (ROI & UK)
Email: [email protected]
www.samaritans.org
Pieta House:
Find your nearest Pieta House:
http://www.pieta.ie/contact-us
for Clinical support email: [email protected]
If urgent:
Freecall 1800 247 247.
Or if you can simply text HELP to 51444.
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