Are the drug companies killing us?
A recent TV ad from pharmaceutical giant Merck caught my attention. The black-and-white commercial was intended to engender confidence in their company as well as the entire industry. The speaker tried to give you a warm fuzzy feeling about the competence of the company. He also used the word "ethics."
If the drug companies ARE ethical, why are they speaking about BEING ethical? Have there been so many drug recalls and issues with medical devices that they're trying to save face?
How many recalls before things change?
From Vioxx to defibrillators, the FDA has been busy issuing recalls. The recalls are usually a reaction to serious side effects of the product - sometimes resulting in death.
With the years of research and testing of drugs and medical devices, you would expect to see tighter controls and fewer recalls. According to the Worst Pills website, we've had 48 drug recalls between Jan. 1 and June 14, 2006. That doesn't include the medical devices that were recalled, such as the Automatic External Defibrillator, which might not do the only job it's supposed to do - resuscitate!
YOU are paying for drug research
The US government pays for 60 percent of the testing and research to get drugs to the market. Of course, this is funded by your tax dollars. Surprised?
Drug companies receive government research grants, and the researchers are often given stock in drug companies as compensation for their work. It isn't unusual for a researcher who has successfully ushered a drug to the market to be hired by the drug company as a reward for his hard work and service. Since many researchers work in university settings, the opportunity to make a lot of money at a drug company and get a nice piece of the stock-option pie is very tempting. How many researchers have compromised their ethics - and your health - to grab the brass ring of success?
Even more alarming, the FDA board that passes or fails a drug's final release to the market is frequently stacked with scientists who will be hired by the drug company IF the drug is approved. A classic case of the fox guarding the hen house!
Are there safer alternatives to drugs?
If conflicts of interest and backhanded bribes aren't enough to give you second thoughts the next time you fill your prescription, then the recalls should cinch things. That doesn't mean you have to give up good health. Instead, it could mean that you may experience increased good health! Natural alternatives have worked for thousands of years. In fact, prescription drugs are frequently based on herbs or natural cures. Because we live in an impatient world, where we want things NOW, the drug companies are providing "instant" cures. For me, the price is too high. I don't mind waiting a little longer for a natural (and safer) alternative to take away a pain or bring me back to health.
Read my blogs to find safe, proven and inexpensive alternatives to drugs. Besides saving money, you just might save your life.
* * * * * * * *
I am not a doctor and have no medical training.
The information in this blog is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Statements made on this blog
have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Consult a healthcare professional before using any products,
treatments or exercises mentioned on this blog.
If the drug companies ARE ethical, why are they speaking about BEING ethical? Have there been so many drug recalls and issues with medical devices that they're trying to save face?
How many recalls before things change?
From Vioxx to defibrillators, the FDA has been busy issuing recalls. The recalls are usually a reaction to serious side effects of the product - sometimes resulting in death.
With the years of research and testing of drugs and medical devices, you would expect to see tighter controls and fewer recalls. According to the Worst Pills website, we've had 48 drug recalls between Jan. 1 and June 14, 2006. That doesn't include the medical devices that were recalled, such as the Automatic External Defibrillator, which might not do the only job it's supposed to do - resuscitate!
YOU are paying for drug research
The US government pays for 60 percent of the testing and research to get drugs to the market. Of course, this is funded by your tax dollars. Surprised?
Drug companies receive government research grants, and the researchers are often given stock in drug companies as compensation for their work. It isn't unusual for a researcher who has successfully ushered a drug to the market to be hired by the drug company as a reward for his hard work and service. Since many researchers work in university settings, the opportunity to make a lot of money at a drug company and get a nice piece of the stock-option pie is very tempting. How many researchers have compromised their ethics - and your health - to grab the brass ring of success?
Even more alarming, the FDA board that passes or fails a drug's final release to the market is frequently stacked with scientists who will be hired by the drug company IF the drug is approved. A classic case of the fox guarding the hen house!
Are there safer alternatives to drugs?
If conflicts of interest and backhanded bribes aren't enough to give you second thoughts the next time you fill your prescription, then the recalls should cinch things. That doesn't mean you have to give up good health. Instead, it could mean that you may experience increased good health! Natural alternatives have worked for thousands of years. In fact, prescription drugs are frequently based on herbs or natural cures. Because we live in an impatient world, where we want things NOW, the drug companies are providing "instant" cures. For me, the price is too high. I don't mind waiting a little longer for a natural (and safer) alternative to take away a pain or bring me back to health.
Read my blogs to find safe, proven and inexpensive alternatives to drugs. Besides saving money, you just might save your life.
I am not a doctor and have no medical training.
The information in this blog is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Statements made on this blog
have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Consult a healthcare professional before using any products,
treatments or exercises mentioned on this blog.
posted by Edith Gaylord | 2:30 PM
4 Comments:
I agree 100% with your position. I hate and despise the pharmaceutical industry and have nearly no respect or trust in their lackeys, the physicians. Pop a pill or cut something out, that's their "cure" that only attacks the symptoms.
They can't cure the common cold because a cold IS a cure: the body expelling toxins and excess mucous.
I have studies natural remedies for centuries it seems. My favorite text is Jethro Kloss BACK TO EDEN.
In the Bible, the word for "witchcraft" is pharmakeia, magical (i.e. selfish, manipulative, detrimental) spells involving magic potions (drugs).
The Bible equates pharmaceutical drugs with sorcery, and this sin is one of the worst.
I broke my back twice over 10 years, and I was prescribed Darvocet, which was a wonderful pain reliever. But I prefer cannabis, a natural, benign, more effective muscle relaxer and pain reliever, especially for back pain.
I was also prescribed Duract, and I never tried the stuff. Months later, people were dying from the crap.
Nobody dies from cannabis.
Edith - so glad I saw your blog - I agree with what you say 100%. I haven't seen a doctor for 20 plus years and at 70 I'm healthy happy and on no prescriptions.
I don't know if you've covered it already but,if not, Olive Leaf extract is a great anti bacterial, anti-viral and anti fungal.
Graham
Graham,
Olive leaf extract IS a wonderful way to conquer infections. I've used it several times in conjunction with Oil of Oregano (Oregamax capsules). Works wonders!
I've been so busy that I haven't kept up the blog for years, but maybe I'll write up something for olive leaf extract.
Thanks,
Edith
Why do you have to put a disclaimer on your message. I decide what treatment I take and do to my body. I may or may not consult a physician. I have a rare disease. I know more about my condition than 99% of the doctors out there. My current pulmonolgist says "I don't know what to do. Western Medicine offers no treatment or cure. Whatever you are doing to stay alive, keep doing it." Those are his words. Do you know what I have done to stay alive with a rare form of lung tumors. I have stayed away from most doctors and all prescription drugs. The FDA and Pharma are in it together. Drug manufacturers do their own clinical trials and they lie about many of the results or manipulate them.This is a severe conflict of interest. Many pharma executives have gone to the FDA and many FDA execs have gone to the pharmaceutical companies. It is true. Stay away from all ssris. They are poison; all addictive all toxic. Those that think they are being helped are deluded. There was a true clinical trial in England that showed that a placebo got better results than an ssri. Google Dr. Peter Breggin. Read his books. It could happen to you. How do I know so much about this subject? A family member of mine died from suicidal ideation while taking Cymbalta. The family medicine Dr. was clueless even though my family member kept complaining of suicidal thoughts. Only had the thoughts while on the ssris.
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