Do you really believe that drug companies have our best interests in mind?

Question

How can anyone feel confident taking drugs nowadays? Most, if not all, pharmaceutical companies are publicly traded. Their REAL customers are their stock holders! All they need to do is fund enough money for research to keep people alive so that they can buy more drugs. But not heal them. It is a brilliant and dark scheme in my opinion to benefiting from the suffering of the public.
Or do you think that this is just a conspiracy theory? How could you? It's SO obvious!
Do any of you have any ideas as to what we can do to stop this type of capitalistic rape of the general public from occurring?

Answer 1

Your tone is a bit harsh but in general I agree with you. Pharmaceutical companies are interested almost exclusively in money rather than the health and well being of the population that consumes these pricey pharmaceuticals. The medical profession in the United States has the same motive and although I belong to various medical societies my views are not generally received well. Medical societies were initially established to improve the quality of medical education, training, and medical care which they did but they are now concerned with how to maintain the physician's income. Medical societies were also instrumental in restricting the advertising of the pharmaceutical industry which 100 years ago was designed to influence the practice of medicine and I am very sorry to say that over the past 5 years this has again become true and I am embarrassed to say that physicians are allowing the pharmaceutical industry to dictate their prescribing habits. The fault however may not rest entirely wth the medical and pharmaceutical industries as people in general prefer dramatic intervention to the profound promise of prevention and they are rather insistent about the need to take a pill for everything and that everything requires a pill. That having been said I regard physicians as unrepentant and my hope and prayer for the once honorable profession of physic is in the hands of present and future patients as only their revolt will alter the fate of the future. What may you do? Your 'question' is a beginning but it must be asked in various forums and often. In your own personal life pursue health and seek physicians who are true clinicians and holistic in their approach but remember my aphorism: knowledge without compassion cures but does not heal while compassion without knowledge soothes but does not cure. I wish you luck with this cause as after 30 years in academic and private practice I have little to show for my efforts and I must admit to a degree of frustration with both profession and patients. If would like like additional information or insights please let me know at [e-mail] - otherwise - Happy Holidays and May God Bless.

Answer 2

I think the drugs are good, but they have the government, along with our money, in their pockets. It's been this way a long time, so I don't think we can blame the reps or dems. When a prescription cost 400-500 a month or more, there is something wrong with the system. My husband and I pay about $300 for prescriptions, and that is with our prescription. I could do a lot with that money, and I'm just one person.

It is a dark scheme. I think the cures for many diseases are out there, but the drug companies, as well as the doctors and hospitals, would be bankrupt. I never considered it capitalist rape, but you may be right.

Answer 3

I would say it's 50-50. The people who actually MAKE the drugs (researchers, scientists) really want to help people. They usually go into this field because someone close to them died of something that could have been prevented if there was a drug. The people who market, and head the big companies....they want the money. There was a story on here earlier about the cholesterol drug Pfizer just tanked because too many people died. They are disappointed because "they will lose patent protection" in 2010-2011. http://www.nbc4.com/health/10457143/detail.html?dl=mainclick

I still think that basically they do the right things. There are so many medications out there that have saved millions of lives. My father's cancer could be treated now...instead there was nothing they could do in 1969.

Answer 4

Very good question!

All drug companies want to make a profit - just like any other business. When you consider the numerous doctors and skilled scientists who work for years just to perfect and test a new drug, ultimately someone must pay for all that. Logically, it would be from those whom that new drug has/had actually helped.

When I go to the pharmacy, I realize the high cost of bringing this drug to market, so that I can live a higher quality of life, and if that means me paying for it, then I'm happy to have the option and ability to treat my health problems. I don't see $$$ when it comes to health.

Look more deeply into this and you'll see no one is getting rich these days.

Answer 5

No, but they aren't alone. The FDA and the AMA also play a big part in determining whether a drug company will be allowed to test and sell drugs that may or may not kill you.

Answer 6

Capitalism is about helping yourself and making the most money - not about helping others. You cant blame the pharmaceutical companies for it - they arent in the business to losss money - they are in it to make money.... Of course they arent out to save humanity - if they were, the US Govt wouldnt be refusing to not legalize medicinal marijuana. However, because it will lead to major losses to pharma, oil, cotton and foodstuffs industries, the Govt refuses to legalize it. Screw people, screw suffering and screw compassion for human life - we worship the almighty dollar.

Answer 7

While some drugs do help people, the way that they are so overpriced shows the companies only care about their wallets.

Answer 8

Get the book by Kevin Trudeau, NATURAL CURES "they" DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT.......Both of you are on the right page......its amazing......and dangerous too us what they are getting away with....but money rules the roost.