SUBJECT: THERAPEUTIC MODAFINIL
PURPOSE:
This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining
to the administering of the drug Modafinil.
ISSUE:
There is too much restriction for the prescribing of the drug Modafinil.
Background:
Modafinil or Provigil, is an oral drug used
to promote wakefulness. Modafinil treats
excessive sleepiness caused by such disease as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or
shift work sleep disorder. Other
purposes of Modafinil include treatment of ADHD and depression. Lastly, Modafinil can be used to promote
improved cognitive functions. This briefing
note will address the use of it for scholastic purposes. This medication is one of the best nootropic
psychotropic drug used to improve cognition.
Students and astronauts use the drug to boost brain function. It was and is used in Wall street where the
demands of the markets require great attention to detail. Studies have revealed that the medication has
a relationship with memory especially when attempting to solve complex
problems. There are also studies which
depict that students taking said drug perform better than those that did not
take it. All of these effects are
attributed to the fact that the medication enhances cognition which lead to
precise responses to difficult questions.
Users of the medication are advised to tell their physician if they have
angina, liver problems, kidney disease, high blood pressure, psychosis and drug
or alcohol addictions. The drug also
makes some birth control ineffective.
The drug is not approved for use by anyone younger than the age of
17. This drug is commonly shared in the
black market which is clearly a contravention to the current laws as per the Food
and Drug Act of Canada. It is a drug of
abuse and is known as such however responsible use is that this drug is given for 12 weeks or less. Some side effects of the drug are not limited
to rash, mouth sores, trouble swallowing, fever etc.
Considerations:
As mentioned Modafinil is a drug that is
known to physicians that patients abuse.
It is not addictive however, the problem lies with the fact that people
use it to stay up for way too long evidently causing the individual other
health problems possibly nervous system breakdown. Physicians are right to caution the
administering of such drug however, the demands of university cause students to
need to stay up and finish or continue studying. University has been getting more and more competitive. According to the American Psychological
Association, over the past century, the average IQ score in industrialized
nations has risen to keep up with the complexity of modern life. Specifically, Americans’ mean IQ has steadily
been increasing for 100 years. Between 1900
and 2012, it rose 30 points which means that the average person in 2012 had a
higher IQ than 95 percent of the population in 1900. If evolution is factored in, it can be
theorized that the use of the brain and mating caused the rise in IQ as society
slowly became more sophisticated. Regardless,
what is evident is the fact that universities are more competitive than ever
and students need a way to keep up with their peers. Modafinil can act as a way by which this can
be achieved. Also, natural supplements
such as rhodiola can be used to help students.
Rhodiola is a natural supplement so it is not administered in the same
way as Modafinil. Rhodiola has a long
history of medicinal use in parts of Europe.
Traditionally, it is used to increase endurance, work performance, and
tolerance of high altitudes and to treat fatigue, weakness and orher symptoms. This natural supplement in the modern age is
promoted to increase energy, stamina, strength, mental capacity, improve
athletic performance, resist effects of stress and help manage depression, anxiety
and other symptoms. In studies the
natural supplement was used anywhere from 6 – 8 weeks with benefits as
described. Educational institutions
should recognize the use of these drugs. As it helps students cope with what
has transpired. The stakeholders for this
matter are the educational institutions, drug manufacturer of Modafinil,
manufacturers of rhodiola, physicians and students.
Options:
Option 1:
Have physicians recommend rhodiola to students.
Rhodiola is clearly beneficial to
alertness. By having physicians recommending
such natural supplement for weeks at a time, students can potentially perform
better in school. This would give those
students struggling, equity. However,
there can be those students that think that other students using supplements
can be an unfair advantage. How is it
any different than taking a coffee? Or
an energy drink? If the student has what
it takes to complete course work, such supplementations would only help them in
their endeavor. Clearly students still
need to study the material. The
supplement or any drug for the matter are not going to give students the answer
but it helps them with it. From a
sustainability standpoint, perhaps the prescribing of natural supplements and
drugs can occur when scientist are certain that the brain development has
peaked to the point that there could no longer be any evolutionary advantage. Regardless, struggling students have the most
to gain from taking such supplementations.
This option is very feasible however it requires physicians to be forthcoming
with their concerns.
Option 2:
Prescribe Modafinil to students that are in taxing parts of the semester,
as necessary.
Using Modafinil during exam periods can be beneficial
to students that are taking courses that are very complex. Many medical students are known to take
psychotropic medications to cope with the demands of med school. It is time that academia face the facts that
these drugs aid students. By prescribing
this drug, it goes through a physician rather than having students be endangered
going through the black market. Thus
from a sustainability stand point, it keeps hopeful students safe. This is not a very feasible option as medical
literature would heed to be reviewed prior to officially prescribing such drug
for university students on a mass scale.
Option 3:
Mandate a physician be on call at educational institutions.
By having a mandate where a physician is
constantly on call in an educational institution, students receive the medical
services that they require on campus. Having
a physician in the university, not only gives jobs but ensures the safety of students. This option provides students and staff with
equity. These physicians can prescribe
the following drugs and supplements to help students with their academic
journey. From a sustainability
perspective, having a physician on call ensures that the school is taking care
of their campus. This can help how its
viewed in the society, not that they need it but it certainly enhances their image. This option is somewhat feasible, the
university would just need to make a job description however they would need to
change parts of their manifests to accommodate this doctor into the school
ecosystem.
Option 4:
Mixture of option 1, 2 and 3.
This option is the least feasible as it
would require a lot of cooperation from various stakeholders. Regardless, from a sustainability
perspective, it is the best option as it allows students access to such
medication or supplements without having to go through the black market.
Option 5:
Status quo: Not working which is
why we have options.
There have been students charged with
unfair crimes for the possession of Modafinil obtained from the black
market. These charges, impair their careers
and the educational institutions must work to find rectifications to these
issues as students are being unfairly punished by law enforcement. We need to ensure that what students have
worked for bears fruit. It is a responsibility
to the community that alumni are provided with opportunities. What has occurred here, the charging of
students for possession of Modafinil, lacks equity.
Recommendation:
Option four is recommended.
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