with all the contraindications on drugs and their intractions, I'm surprised that it isn't worse

Often prescription drugs only put a band-aid on the (health) problem and often the patient does nothing to address the actual cause. Patient says "Oh, I have high blood pressure?" Doctor says "Take these and they should help." If the patient is lucky they will recommend a diet/exorcise regime but really it is only a suggestion as they cannot make their patients do so. It is the easy fix and as Americans, we have become lazy and often too busy to worry about our overall health (diet and exorcise). I wouldn't be surprised if a portion of suicide deaths can be directly linked to illness/disease or depression from being on the medication (as they see no improvement or it actually worsens).