More Bad News About Doctors And Big Pharma :shock:

[tex]

Hi All,

While this example is specifically about the psychiatric branch of medicine, it appears that much of the rest of the medical profession may also be slowly but surely falling into the clutches of the drug companies, in the same way. Also, bear in mind that this doctor is trying to sell a book, describing why he feels that his specialty has lost track of it's original goals. Even so, it's pretty clear that he has some very legitimate claims.

http://www.danielcarlat.com/dcarlat-unh ... erview.htm

I found the article that he wrote for the New York Times, (published on November 25, 2007), to be incredibly illuminating - a real eye-opener, if there ever was one.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/magaz ... .html?_r=3

Of course, I didn't just stumble upon all this information - Dr. Briffa tipped me off, in one of his blogs, mentioned in his weekly newsletter, (Dr. Briffa is one of the open-minded doctors of this world, who actually thinks about how he advises his patients):

http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2010/05/26 ... rofession/

Tex

[Linda in BC]

Thanks for posting this, Tex. An eye-opener, for sure.
Linda

[harma]

I am (still) always surprized and also a bit shocked when I talk to people who are depressed and/or have other mental health issues that the only "therapy" they do is pills. Prozac or something like it. Most of the time prescribed by PCP not even a psychiatrist. When I ask, but shouldn't it be a good idea to do some counseling or therapy quite often the answer is: "Not is not needed, since I am taking these pills I am feeling much better". So it is also a situation of demand and supply. Of course it is the power of the pharmaceutical industry that make big money in this branch. But it is also what patients ask for and what they expect. A lot of people like a quick fix. It is so much "easier" to take a pill than start digging in your soul, what really is causing the problems. And maybe form cost point of view it is even cheaper too, medication instead of long term "talking" treatment.

first it was only talking, now it is only medication while the truth is probably something in between.

[Gabes-Apg]

and people wonder why i am soo cynical about doctors and big pharma....

no matter where you live, it aint going to improve anytime soon, governments are too reliant on the money from med sales and the infrastructure big pharma production supports.


Like government and universities and specialists themselves are going to change the system

I wrote this post so i could use the new flying pig emoticon! thanks tex

[kimtg68]

Interesting, informative articles. If I wasn't skeptical about doctors before all this MC stuff happened, I'm most definitely now. Reading such things only adds more credence. Thanks for sharing.

[tex]

Gabes,



Tex

[ant]

Also I am afraid that the food industry is not far behind. I even wonder if the refusal to expand a dx of gluten intolerance beyond celiac is driven by the food industry. Can you imagine what would happen if/when the knowledge we have here (e.g. paleo diet thinking) was allowed to be accepted by the mainstream.

Best, Ant