I am writing in response to Kristi Jourdan's piece "Pills should not be all-powerful answer to world's ailments, illnesses" (SN 3/14). Her opinion seems to be the sentiment shared by many of my peers, blurring political lines.

Well, I am here to say it's complete garbage. The influx of medication on the market is not something to be shunned, but rather celebrated. It is a mark on the advancement of technology in the medical and pharmaceutical sciences. What was a man with erectile dysfunction to do before, for instance, Viagra? Probably live an unfulfilled life, perhaps causing divorce because of his failure to meet his partner's needs.

Granted, the advertising has seemed a bit over the top, but this is only so patients will ask their doctors about it on their next visit. They are now aware that they are not the only ones with this problem, and there is help out there. It's not like doctors hand out bottles of Viagra to the first 100 people that come, like this "Halloween candy," as she suggests.

Jourdan seems to place most of the blame of cost and overprescribing medications on the doctors. But, in fact, doctors have rigorous screening processes for drugs these days. It is on the patients to ask.

And as for the price, well that's the fault of our leader George Bush for not allowing Canadian companies to compete, which would reduce prices, allowing companies to build up funds and fund his campaigns.

Neil Vora
no-preference freshman