There is only one drug in the world so well known that it's called ''The Pill''.In 1993 the economist,listed the pill as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.For more than forty years,more people have taken it than any other prescribed medicine in the world.
IN DEMAND FROM THE START
The birth control pill was the first medication ever designed for purely social,rather than therapeutic purpose.At first the pharmaceutical company G.D SEARLE AND COMPANY was dubious that healthy women would take a drug on a daiy basis just to prevent pregnancy.In 1957 the company took a tentative step into the market.They applied for U.S government approval of the drug.Envoid,as a treatment for gynecological disorders.
MILLIONS OF PRESCRIPTIONS
Searle was shocked when less than two years ,more than 500,000 women were taking the pill,two years later 1.2 million women were on the pill.By 1965 over 5 million women were taking it.
POPULAR BUT RISKY
Searle's monopoly on the pill lasted only two years,by the late 1960's,seven manufacturers were producing oral contraceptives,and in 1968 annual Pill sales hit $150 million. Worldwide,more than 12 million women took the Pill. But at the height of the drugs popularity, SENATE HEARINGS focused the nation's attention on potentially deadly health risks posed by the high dosage Pill. As a result of the hearings,pharmaceutical companies lowered the dosages even further and doctors advised women who were obese,smoked,had high blood pressure or a family history of blood clots against taking the Pill.
STILL POPULAR
Over the past two decades,the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS have led to an increased rellance on barrier methods of contraception,but in America the Pill still remains the most popular form of reversible birth control. Today the debate is not over the safety of the Pill,but over the question of whether it should remain a prescription drug or become available over the counter.
IN DEMAND FROM THE START
The birth control pill was the first medication ever designed for purely social,rather than therapeutic purpose.At first the pharmaceutical company G.D SEARLE AND COMPANY was dubious that healthy women would take a drug on a daiy basis just to prevent pregnancy.In 1957 the company took a tentative step into the market.They applied for U.S government approval of the drug.Envoid,as a treatment for gynecological disorders.
MILLIONS OF PRESCRIPTIONS
Searle was shocked when less than two years ,more than 500,000 women were taking the pill,two years later 1.2 million women were on the pill.By 1965 over 5 million women were taking it.
POPULAR BUT RISKY
Searle's monopoly on the pill lasted only two years,by the late 1960's,seven manufacturers were producing oral contraceptives,and in 1968 annual Pill sales hit $150 million. Worldwide,more than 12 million women took the Pill. But at the height of the drugs popularity, SENATE HEARINGS focused the nation's attention on potentially deadly health risks posed by the high dosage Pill. As a result of the hearings,pharmaceutical companies lowered the dosages even further and doctors advised women who were obese,smoked,had high blood pressure or a family history of blood clots against taking the Pill.
STILL POPULAR
Over the past two decades,the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS have led to an increased rellance on barrier methods of contraception,but in America the Pill still remains the most popular form of reversible birth control. Today the debate is not over the safety of the Pill,but over the question of whether it should remain a prescription drug or become available over the counter.
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