Health Conscious Video Competition

MedShadow does not accept advertising or contributions from pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers or political action organizations. So too, should Health Conscious Video submissions strive for an unbiased, unbought and editorially independent approach.

Videos may cover the issues related to over-the-counter and prescription drugs or supplements, recent findings or news, and patient experiences. Consider angles that deserve a closer look or deeper explanation and ways that MedShadow’s original reporting may intersect with your own world for independent reporting in your video documentary. You may also choose to interview people with relevant experience or experts who can expand upon these ideas.

MedShadow writes timely stories about a variety of specific conditions. Drawing from recent articles such as, “The Complicated Reality of Treating Osteoporosis,” or “They Say Their ADHD Meds Aren’t Working. They’re Not Imagining It,” and your own independent reporting, focus on the condition(s) that you believe deserve a closer look or deeper explanation.

Nine out of 10 prescriptions filled in the U.S. are for generic drugs. The assumption is that these drugs are just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts. In many cases, they are. But not always. Studies have shown that certain generic drugs can vary in how they’re manufactured, how they’re absorbed, what their dose is, if they contain contaminants, and what side effects they might cause.

Integrative medicine is a medical approach that emphasizes the partnership between a physician and a patient, embraces the health of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), and uses all appropriate therapeutic options and disciplines to promote optimal healing. Half of U.S. adults also use supplements, such as vitamins, to help fill nutritional gaps. But, without FDA review, knowing the risks and how to choose a reputable brand is essential.

In the presence of other drugs, some drugs do things they never do when given on their own. The technical term for this is pharmacodynamics. When prescribing medications, doctors will ask about other drugs and supplements you are on and take those into account. Certain medications don’t mix. In addition, a person’s age, sex, medical history and body weight can influence the way drugs and nutrients interact.

More than 2,000 pharmaceutical plants (both overseas and in the U.S.) have not been inspected by the FDA in five years or more. This represents 42% of all 4,700 plants currently registered to produce drugs for the U.S., including medications such as antibiotics, blood thinners and cancer treatments. This lack of inspections means that no one can know if these labs are taking the necessary steps to prevent contamination that can and has caused harmful side effects and even death.