How could North Americans have so many ill stomachs? Why does treatment cost so many billions? And why are so many taking the wrong medication?
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 10 years ago one in eight Canadians over 65 years of age was taking PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), the strongest medicine available to stop gastric acid secretion. Now, one in five is on this medication. A report from Johns Hopkins University says that every year 113 million Americans take these pills.