tailieunhanh - Ebook 404 essential tests for IELTS: Part 2

Following the contents of the first book "404 essential tests for IELTS", section 2 introduces the learner to 4 all tests listening, speaking, reading and writing English proficiency IELTS, raising exercises, vocabulary review set, . Invite you to consult. | PrỆCti r Test 2 READING PASSAGE 2 Questions 14-27are based on Beading Passage 2. VALIUM In the 1960s Valium was launched around thè world as the new miracle pill- It was prescribed for dozens of ailments including stress panic attacks back pain insomnia and calming patients before and after Surgery. Four decades later many are questioning why the drug is still so popular given that doctors and drug addiction workers believe Valium and drugs like it create more health problems than they solve. Valium - a Latin word meaning strong and well - was developed in the early 1960s in the United States US by Dr Leo Sternbach a Polish chemist working for pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-LaRoche. Approved for use in 1963 Valium quickly became a favourite among mental heath professionals and general practitioners. Valium was the most prescribed drug in the US between 1969 and 1982 At the peak of Valium use in the 1970s Hoffman LaRoche s parent company the Roche Group was selling about two billion Valium pills a year earning the company us 600 million a year. Valium quickly became a household name the drug of choice for millions of people from the rich and famous to the stressed executive and the frustrated housewife. These days Valium is still a popular choice. From 2002-2003 50 of prescriptions for diazepams the generic name for Valium in Australia were for Valium. Almost two million scripts were issued for diazepam in 2002 costing consumers and governments more than 13 million. Diazepams belong to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which include tranquillizers to ease anxiety and hypnotics to treat insomnia. Valium and other benzodiazepines were marketed as fast acting non-addlctive and as having no side effects Initially benzodiazepines were considered to be quite safe especially compared to other drugs on the market. For example barbiturates were also very toxic and a small overdose would be fatal. One of the great advantages of benzodiazepines over their predecessors .