COHEN, Jay S. 1945-

PERSONAL:

Born November 3, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA; son of Harry Cohen and Delores Rappaport Levy; children: Rory. Education: Ursinus College, B.S. (cum laude), 1967; Temple University School of Medicine, M.D., 1971. Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Health and fitness, gardening.

ADDRESSES:

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.

CAREER:

Physician, educator, and writer. University of California, Los Angeles, former staff member; University of California, San Diego, adjunct associate professor of family and preventative medicine and of psychiatry. Consultant to Naval Regional Medical Center, Balboa Hospital, San Diego. Has appeared on radio and television programs, including People's Pharmacy.

WRITINGS:

American Garden Guidebook, Volume I: East, Evans and Company, 1987.

American Garden Guidebook, Volume II: West, Evans and Company, 1989.

Make Your Medicine Safe, Avon (New York, NY), 1998.

Over Dose: The Case against the Drug Companies, Tarcher/Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.

Contributor to periodicals, including Geriatrics, Archives of Internal Medicine, Annals of Pharmaco-therapy, Drug Safety, Newsweek, Bottom Line Health, and Life Extension.

SIDELIGHTS:

Jay S. Cohen is an associate professor of preventative medicine whose research on the adverse effects of prescription drugs has directly influenced the world of medicine. His book Over Dose: The Case against the Drug Companies, published in 2002, was described as a "thorough, solidly based book that deserves to be widely read by medical professionals and the lay public," by William Beatty in Booklist.

In Over Dose Cohen informs readers that side effects related to medications are not caused from the medications themselves, but rather from the dosage patients are prescribed or ingest. Explaining that drug companies suggest high dosages in order to speed results and guarantee sales in a competitive prescription-drug marketplace, the author notes that lower dosages are sometimes more beneficial and result in fewer and less potentially harmful side-effects. He provides readers with an in-depth look into physician prescriptions, marketing strategies of prescription drugs, and, most importantly, the lack of adequate testing and conclusive information sought by many physicians with regard to patients' other medications prior to prescription. On his Web site, MedicationSense.com, Cohen stated the purpose of his book: "My goal is to provide you and your doctor with information to improve your working relationship and treatment results." Natalie Kupferberg described Over Dose in a Library Journal review as a "repetitive but necessary exposé" of the practices of drug companies, physicians, and drug marketers, and added that "Cohen presents a plethora of practical information" in a book Kupferberg deemed "Highly recommended for public and medical libraries." A reviewer for Publishers Weekly agreed that Over Dose is "Replete with information supported by recognized and reliable sources," and suggested that the "guide should be read by anyone taking prescription medication."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 2001, William Beatty, review of Over Dose: The Case against the Drug Companies, p. 365.

Horticulture, April, 1988, Christopher Reed, review of American Garden Guidebook: East, p. 76; April, 1990, Ann Lovejoy, review of American Garden Guidebook: West, p. 83.

Library Journal, July, 1987, Louise B. Hodges, review of American Garden Guidebook: East, p. 86; October 1, 2001, Natalie Kupferberg, review of Over Dose, p. 135.

Publishers Weekly, September 10, 2001, review of Over Dose, p. 75.

ONLINE

MedicationSense.com,http://www.medicationsense.com/ (December 26, 2003).