This
argument concludes that
Cold-Away is a more effective non-prescription cold
medication than Coldex.The argument points out that each one has a distinct unwanted
side effect: Cold-Away causes drowsiness, while Coldex contributes to existing
high blood
pressure.To support its conclusion, the argument points out that Cold-
Away has been on the market considerably longer, and that it is used by more
hospitalsthan Coldex. I frnd the argument unconvincing for three reasons.
First, the mere fact that Cold-Away has been on the market longer than Coldex is
scant evidence of their comparative
effectiveness. Well-established
products are not
necessarily better than newer ones. Moreover, in my observation newer medicines
often make use of newer pharmaceutical developments than competing products;
thus it can be argued that since Cold-Away has been on the market longer than Coldex
it is likely to be less, not more, effective than Coldex.
Secondly, the argument unfairly assumes that hospitals prefer Cold-Away because
of its comparative effectiveness as a cold medication. It is entirely possible that hospitals
do not consider drowsiness an undesirable side
effect for their patients. For that
matter, perhaps hospitals use Cold-Away primarily for this effect rather than as a cold
medication.
A third problem with the argument involves Coldex''s side effect: high blood pressure.
Admittedly, people who already have a serious blood pressure problem would
probably be well advised to use Cold-Away instead. However, only those people are
susceptible to this side effect.Thus, for all other people-the vast majority of coldmedicine
users-Coldex''s side effect is irrelevant in choosing between the two products.
Moreover, if a person without high blood pressure wishes to avoid drowsiness,
Coldex would seem to be the preferable medication.
In sum, the argument is unconvincing as it stands.To strengthen it, the argument''s
proponent must provide clear evidence that hospitals prefer Cold-Away because of
its effectiveness in treating colds.To better assess the argument, I would need better
evidence comparing the effectiveness of the two products-perhaps through clinical
studies or reliable surveys of the general population.
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