I wonder how many of these are absolute benefits but not strictly needed to survive.
For example, allergy meds greatly improve my life on an ongoing basis, but I could do without them if I was willing to have messy sinuses and a headache on and off for a good part of the year. I was using over-the-counter meds but those stopped working and prescription ones do seem to work as replacements.
I wouldn't be surprised if many of the voluntary prescriptions have benefits that far outweigh their downsides.
For example, allergy meds greatly improve my life on an ongoing basis, but I could do without them if I was willing to have messy sinuses and a headache on and off for a good part of the year. I was using over-the-counter meds but those stopped working and prescription ones do seem to work as replacements.
I wouldn't be surprised if many of the voluntary prescriptions have benefits that far outweigh their downsides.