Transcript Chapter 6 Lesson 2 Day 1

The pharmaceutical industry is now well regulated by
the government. The government makes sure that
claims made by drug companies are valid and that
products have limited risks.
Discussion
 What possible problems might concern
consumers because there were no
regulations for foods and medicines?
Consumers might worry about
contaminated foods and medicines,
medicines that did not cure illnesses they
claimed to cure, and medicines that did not
have any health benefits.
Discussion
 What instructions and warnings are written on
prescription bottles or over-the-counter
medications today?
There are dosage instructions. There are warnings
related to when and when not to take a
medication. There are instructions as to who
should be taking the medication and who should
not. There are also drug interaction warnings.
Discussion
 Why would a producer add an
unnecessary chemical to a food or drug?
It can keep costs down by attempting to
synthesize the original material or by
diluting it.
Advertising
 Patent medications were one of the first major
products promoted by widespread advertising.
 Medicines would list exotic ingredients or promise
incredible results.
 Have you ever heard the term snakeoil salesman.
Snake oil was a commonly listed ingredient in
many liniments from the era. When the truth was
learned about these products, the term snake-oil
salesman took on the meaning of someone selling
a bogus item.
Government Regulations
 Since the reforms of the Progressive Era, the
government has assumed an important
responsibility in protecting the safety and wellbeing of its citizens.
 It does not stop simply with what people eat and
drink. The government also is responsible for
maintaining important regulations of the
environment (the Environmental Protection
Agency), the economy (the Securities and
Exchange Commission), housing, the workplace,
and several other aspects of Americans’ lives.
Reforms During Roosevelt’s Presidency
 Business Reform Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, the U.S.
government stopped Northern Securities, a railroad company, from
creating a monopoly. The Department of Commerce and Labor was
created to regulate big business. The Hepburn Act strengthened the
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) by allowing it to set railroad
rates.
 Workplace Safety In 1906 laws were passed setting a minimum age
for employment and a maximum number of hours children could work.
Progressives pushed for workers’ compensation laws to pay workers
injured on the job.
 Consumer Safety Because of muckraking, by 1906, citizens had
become more aware of the dangers in food and drugs. Roosevelt and
Congress passed the Meat Inspection Act. Under the Food and Drug
Act passed in 1906, it became illegal to sell or ship any impure or
falsely labeled food or drug.
Government Regulation
 The word regulate comes from the Latin
word for “to rule,” as opposed to “rules are
meant to be broken.”
 When a government regulates an
organization, it sets up rules for the
organization’s operation.
Discussion
 Why is business competition good for the
consumer?
When consumers have a choice of products
or services on which to spend their money,
businesses are forced to lower prices and
improve quality to be able to compete.
Discussion
 Why didn’t the government outlaw child
labor entirely?
The loss of many jobs could slow the
economy; families relied on children’s
incomes to make ends meet.
Discussion
 Why is it especially important that
sanitary standards are kept up at a meat
factory?
Meat can spoil or become infected with
bacteria if exposed to the wrong conditions.
Consequently, tainted meat can sicken and
even kill people.
Discussion
 What were some achievements of the
Progressive movement?
The Progressive movement identified
societal ills that needed to be addressed.
Laws were passed to protect consumers and
workers. Government agencies such as the
Food and Drug Administration were
established.
Discussion
 What would be an example of what
Roosevelt considered “misconduct?
The practices in meatpacking plants or false
advertising by drug companies