Visual Analysis

For my research topic I thought about pharmaceutical ads and the impact that it brings to the viewers. Pharmaceutical ads are constantly being released to promote and increase the companies market sales. A great example is Zyrtec OTC. It just became available to buy over the counter at the same prescription strength. Zyrtec’s patent was about to end, so Pfizer decides to come up with yet another tactic to keep selling their product. Patients may see this more of a convenience. Since they no longer have to worry about the prescription expiring or having enough refills, they can just go buy it at the nearest store like Tylenol. They save the trip to the doctor, the waiting at the pharmacy, and they avoid headaches. But are they really saving? The cost is just as expensive as before it went over the counter except now the prescription insurances will not cover it. In the long run, these so called advantages start becoming more of disadvantages.
The picture above is from a Zoloft ad. We can all recognize the little bean that comes out on other commercials. Not much color is used except for the blue for the dress. Zoloft is for depression not a red bull. That is what the image seems to get across. From depression we can get the feeling of flying after taking Zoloft. The fact that the drawing of the girl is not very attractive to begin with, actually it is a bit distorted. But depending from what point of view it is being absorbed from, this ad will give hope to those with depression.

Is the building of Texas Tech El Paso Medical School Rhetoric?

For this upcoming research topic, I had to put my thinking cap on. After the whole incident of Mr. Lozano’s accident and how Thomason took on the challenge of treating him, it got me re-evaluating the whole situation. Thomason does not tend to deny service to anyone regardless of one’s situation. In turn, this has its pros and cons. Then I started thinking about the medical school. Every Friday, the CEO of Thomason, sends out a weekly letter stating the past and future events. As I was reading the past letters I noticed that they all were pushing for the building of a four year medical school. All the letters mention how it will help to boost our economy and the amount of doctors it will bring to the Sun City. Though it all sounds great and I don’t thought we need a school, I don’t recall once being warned of the sacrifices that we might have to make and needless to say the consequences. For example, we are still in the process of recruiting the doctors for this school. Texas Tech is recruiting from all over in hopes of bringing in the best. I don’t know if you recall, maybe ten years ago, we had a great pediatric neurosurgeon in El Paso. Then he ended up leaving because he was in fact the only one picking up all the cases. He became overworked and decided to leave to a bigger city. With the building of the new medical school, how long before we can say we are fully staffed? As of now, doctors in Texas Tech Pediactrics are close to 500:1 if not more. In my opinion, this is not proper medical care. Especially children because they can’t tell you what is wrong. This in turn leads to misdiagnosis because right outside the door is a waiting room full of crying and irritable children waiting to be seen. Of all of this I developed this question. Is the El Paso four year Medical school rhetoric?

Extra Cash

So I was listening to the radio this morning, and they mentioned the check coming this summer. I am talking about the money that we are getting to help the upcoming recession. Now I was thinking, what will I do with my check. Spending it is out of the question, but how about a CD. Then again, if we do experience a recession a CD will probably not be safe. And then I thought, it seems like the money is being given to us so we do spend. Just like we will all probably spend our income tax money. I think I just might be thinking about this too much. I guess what is freaking me out is the idea of recession.
What do you guys think?