The British Medical Journal Reports 94% of Drug Information has No Basis in Scientific Evidence!
The investigation was conducted by the Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine in Cologne, Germany. They concluded that there is very little evidence to support the claims made by pharmaceutical companies in their drug advertising.
In fact it is almost non-existent according to this article from The British Medical Journal (BMJ). It has also been published on the United States Government National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website.
Before we begin I want to give a quick shoutout to @truthtrain (Todd Wilke). He has been a regular in the comments section on my health related posts lately and he has dropped some very interesting and useful information. One of which was the link to this study. Make sure to check his page out.
Here is the BMJ article in full.
ONLY 6% OF DRUG ADVERTISING MATERIAL IS SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE
By Heidelberg Annette Tuffs
February 28, 2004
Source: British Medical Journal
A new study of the advertising material and marketing brochures sent out by drug companies to GPs in Germany has shown that about 94% of the information in them has no basis in scientific evidence.
The study, carried out by the Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, a private independent research institute in Cologne, evaluated 175 brochures containing information on 520 drugs, which were either sent by post or handed out to 43 GPs since last June. The study was published in this month's issue of the drugs bulletin Arznei Telegramm (2004;35:21-3;
About 15% of the brochures did not contain any citations, while the citations listed in another 22% could not be found. In the remaining 63% the information was mostly correctly connected with the relevant research articles but did not reflect their results. Only 6% of the brochures contained statements that were scientifically supported by identifiable literature.
The evaluation was done by two specially trained and independently acting reviewers. In cases of doubt a third reviewer was involved.
"This is the first study in Germany evaluating the quality of drug advertising material," says Thomas Kaiser, a scientist at the institute who published the study together with Peter Sawicki and other colleagues.
He points out that the advertising material presents distorted images of the drugs' profiles. The article lists several examples of misrepresentation:
medical guidelines from scientific societies are misquoted or changed, the side effects of drugs are minimised, groups of patient are wrongly defined, study results are suppressed, treatment effects are exaggerated, risks are manipulated, and effects of drugs were drawn from animal studies.
The authors warn that such a high amount of misinformation puts patients' health at risk. Studies from other countries have shown that doctors tend to base their decisions on the information and advertising material sent out by drug companies. Therefore, the authors conclude, an independent institution should be established to monitor the content of such material.
The German drug industry has decided to tighten the rules in its self regulatory code on relations between the industry and the medical profession with regard to cooperation in clinical studies and attendance at conferences that are funded by drug companies.
The German Association of Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies in Berlin announced that its members have set up an independent tribunal in Berlin. Members of the tribunal will be chosen by drug companies and doctors' and patients' groups but will not be elected representatives of those bodies.
Like a court, the tribunal will be able to punish companies that break the rules, imposing fines of up to 50,000 Euro (£34,000; $63,000) or, in the case of a second offence, up to 250,000 Euro. Anyone will be allowed to notify the tribunal of possible offences.
The initiative was the industry's reaction to the German government's threat to install an executive against corruption. Doctors' associations have also tightened their rules on corruption.
The Low Down
- Only 6% of drug brochures given to GP’s contained statements that were scientifically supported by identifiable literature.
- The Institute examined 175 brochures on 520 drugs.
- They concluded that advertising material presented distorted images of the drugs' profiles.
- Misrepresentation included; Study results Suppressed, Treatment effects Exaggerated, Side effects Minimised, Risks Manipulated, Groups of patient wrongly defined, Animal Studies rather than human studies.
- Such a high amount of misinformation puts patients' health at risk.
- Doctors base their decisions on drug companies for their information.
The Response
The German Association of Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies in Berlin announced that its members have set up an independent tribunal in Berlin. Members of the tribunal will be chosen by drug companies and doctors' and patients' groups but will not be elected representatives of those bodies. The initiative was the industry's reaction to the German government's threat to install an executive against corruption.
The German Pharmaceutical Companies set up an independent tribunal - with fines of up to 250,000 Euros ($300,000 USD) if caught. That's peanuts for a pharmaceutical conglomerate.
Allowing pharmaceutical companies to self-regulate their industry is akin to asking the big bad wolf to babysit little red riding hood. The wolf can 't help itself, it cannot be trusted and neither can pharmaceutical companies.
The Problem
Elected officials and government agency employees place the interests of themselves and the pharmaceutical companies ahead of the welfare of citizens.
Many of them may not be aware that they are often little more than a compartmentalized cog in in a very big wheel and inadvertently contributing to the problem.
The BMJ article was published in 2004. Does anyone believe that very much has changed in the last 14 years? I wonder how many pharmaceutical companies are fined every year and if those penalties are more than revenues? Could it be that they are just a cost of 'doing business'?
Germany is Europe’s largest drug market. If these are the standards in Germany can you imagine what the situation is in less developed nations?
Doctors do not have the time to research every single drug that is presented to them. There were 520 drugs in this study alone. How on earth is a doctor seeing patients every 10-15 minutes expected to keep up with the avalanche of drug information?
He can’t, and he doesn’t - he trusts the pharmaceutical salesman that has been trained by the pharmaceutical company on what to say. The conversation may include a chat about an upcoming pharmaceutical sponsored conference or the next 'breakthrough' drug.
Doctors are on the frontline, autographing every prescription - and they have an ethical, moral, and I hope legal responsibility, to ensure that the drugs that they are prescribing are safe, effective, correctly advertised and risks shared with the patient.
This study proves, that in Germany circa 2003-2004, this was not the case.
There really is no escaping the fact that corporations control governments and governments try to control us!
Science receives it’s funding from governments, corporations and tax-free foundations (the elites as some people call them).
Employers almost always get what they want and there are almost zero employment opportunities for scientists without this funding.
That is not a desirable situation. In fact it is a blatant conflict of interest and human beings are the guinea pigs!
It would be very naive for one to believe that this is not the case. Please do not take my words as being overly critical of science and scientists. Quite the contrary, science is a very important discipline. I think that it gets a bit more credit than it deserves (to the exclusion of others) but it is very important nonetheless.
I am fully aware of the good that science has done. I wouldn’t be writing this blog if it wasn’t for science. I am very grateful for the conveniences and fun that science has brought into my life. I also know that science can be very dangerous when left unchecked.
Interestingly, the Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine seems to have closed its doors. I wonder if that was for a lack of funding or something more sinister?
Corporations own your government and we should all be able to see that. Is it not reasonable and responsible to ask ourselves who controls the sciences?
Where does science gets its funding from again?
If a scientist asks to many questions, or pops his head above the waterline, or merely shares his inner thoughts with his colleagues, he may soon find himself looking for another job. The financial backers will hire someone more compliant. Finding another job may not be as easy you think, most scientists know this, as do doctors and government employees. If not consciously, then sub-consciously. We operate in a social and professional construct that has been designed to keep us in our place.
The pharmaceutical industry spends more money on advertising than it does on research. I wonder if campaign contributions, medical conferences, physician and surgery kickbacks, and other perks are expensed under advertising?
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: - John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
Corporations and government have absolute power over the sciences and medical professions. The pharmaceutical industry is riddled with corruption.
When you let any group of people have too much power they will almost always abuse it - science and medicine is not immune and there is no vaccine. The virus simply has to be destroyed before it kills us.
The Solution
Doctors, and patients rely on scientists, regulators, governments and the pharmaceutical manufacturers to do their jobs. Behind each of those titles lies an individual with a brain, and I hope a heart.
To varying degrees we are all responsible for allowing this paradigm of oppression and corruption to continue. What side of the debate you sit on right now is not the most important issue. The problem (as stated above) transcends whatever other differences we may have. We are all individuals, we are intelligent, we can solve problems, we have resources, we have Steemit, we have each other and all of our different skills set and we can effect positive change. We just need to find some heart and get organized.
We shouldn’t be pointing the finger at each other or waiting for someone else to step up. Even the smallest contribution can make an enormous difference. We should be working together rather than splitting into camps. We should be open, civil, and respectful of other opinions and beliefs. Most importantly we should be very open-minded, inquisitive, ask good questions, demand good answers and not be satisfied until we get them.
We need to unite and focus our attention on the governments and corporations that try to rule over us. They are looking after each others best interests and we need to start looking after ours.
- Pro-Vaccine vs Vaccine Awareness
- Pro-Life vs Pro Choice
- Science vs Religion
- and the list goes on.
We have a common enemy and it isn't each other. I hope to see doctors, scientists, activists and everyday citizens from all camps begin to have open, honest, transparent and sensible conversations.
Some doctors and scientists may be getting ready to throw something at me now. If they are, they have not understood or embraced the essence of this message.
This is a call, a plea, for you to ask good questions, demand good answers, research the corruption in your fields, stand up to the bullying and begin to tell the Steemit blockchain what you know.
I want Suppression of Study Results, Exaggeration of Treatment Effects, Minimisation of Side Effects, Manipulated Risks and Groups of Patients Wrongly Defined to stop!
We should all be honest with ourselves and admit that this is how the Big Pharma game is played and the medical profession is on it. If we can't at the very least acknowledge that then God help us!
I think much of the problem lies in the misunderstanding of the so-called opposing view. I also see people pushing agendas that they do not understand. I believe that almost everyone last one of us wants better outcomes for ourselves and those around us.
We need to transition to a decentralized society where people act voluntarily. Central banks, governments and fiat currencies will be replaced by blockchains, witnesses and cryptocurrencies.
This isn't going to happen overnight but if we stick at it we can overcome. We should be actively working towards making the world a better, fairer and more caring place. If we all play our role, no matter how small we will get there much faster.
Steemit will play a major role in helping us to achieve these outcomes and I am very grateful to all Steemians for their contribution to this wonderful platform and incredible opportunity.
You’ve only got one life so you may as well make the most of it - you do not have second chance.
8 Men Have the Same Wealth as 50% of the Worlds Population - Oxfam
That alone should tell you that corporations and governments are not at all interested in helping people. They are too busy lying to us and acting like they care.
I'm excited about what we can achieve and learn together. I'm excited about the people that we can help. I'm excited about a future with a more even distribution of wealth.
Let's make it happen Steemians - let's change the world together!
Yours in Peace, Health & Truth
@SteemTruth
Image Credit: 1
Great article. As a doctor this is so true that we rely on our information being accurate, and as said we just don't have the time to source check every drug that is used.
There is a huge push for true evidence based medicine at the moment which is fantastic but unfortunately its really only just beginning. A lot of what we prescribe, as well as other elements of clinical medicine, are still used because thats what has always been done.
There is definitely something to be said for clinical experience over the course of a career but we do need to start questions why things are done otherwise progress just won't be made.
As for medication - new and old - It will take a while before everything has been thoroughly researched and that will just never happen with some of the bad practice seen by the pharmaceutical industry.
Anymore more interested please read 'Bad Pharma' by Ben Goldacre - a very interesting read detailing this topic.
Am out of voting power and trying to let it build up "again" but had to at least comment on here and thank you for the reference to "Bad Pharma" as this sounds like a great book to promote to those that are still stuck in the revolving door of big pharma.
Yeah that is not how we work, why know what it does as long as it is safe haha I agree 100% this is an massive issue, and many trails putting safe marks on medicine only tried them out for short a duration.
This might be a reason why many disease start to emerge in the west world, especially neurological ones, which is totaly centerd in USA / Europe.
"Doctors are on the frontline, autographing every prescription - and they have an ethical, moral, and I hope legal responsibility, to ensure that the drugs that they are prescribing are safe, effective, correctly advertised and risks shared with the patient"
This is not really the issue, there are legal obstacles to research patents and publish on others patents is hard! Doctors or scientists like my self can´t touch medicines for testing since it is the companies recipe.
Even if i knew 100% a certain medicine would give cancer i can´t do the science and publish this information, it is not legal. A doctor can only listen to the published information, the companies, and is bound by law to prescribe them if no alternatives is present, so it´s the other way around sadly.
Corruption is the problem here, as always, money makes the laws, politicians don´t give a shit. The result is a situation where you should NEVER eat medicine unless you are bound to die without it :)
Nice post!
"If tomorrow, every health practitioner started applying the information in The Orthomolecular Treatment of Chronic Disease, the improvement in the health of the nation and the reduction in suffering would be unprecedented."
John I. Mosher, PhD, Professor, State University of New York
I am not very familiar with this publication, thanks for the tip :)
Browse around here
(OMNS Feb 15, 2014) Don't get bogged down by silly claims that multiple vitamins kill, or that antioxidants are bad for you. It is high time to take a look at the record, and review what published medical research actually has been saying for eight decades.
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n08.shtml
NO DEATHS !! From vitamins
31 years!
http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v11n01.shtml
Orthomolecular should be the FIRST approach by any health practitioner unless the patient is suffering from some sort of accident or trauma. Few doctors address lifestyle, environment or eating habits in the course of diagnosis or treatment. It ends up that piling on chemical drugs in a system that is already possibly only suffering from a toxic overload can not lead to better health. Linus Pauling is my hero, I learned a great deal from his work.
A lot of great references
First of all, the orthomolecular data base rests strongly on the following areas of scientific knowledge: 1. nutrition, 2. biochemistry, 3. Cell biology, 4. physiology, 5, general medicine, immunology, 7. allergy, 8. endocrinology, 9. pharmacology, 10. toxicology, 11. gastroenterology, 12, parasitology, 13. nephrology, 14. physical medicine and manipulation therapies, 15. dentistry, 16. veterinary science, 17. food science, 18, agriculture, 19. climatology, 20. medical politics.
The following therapeutic modalities fit the definition of orthomolecular: 1. vitamins, 2. minerals 3. amino acids, 4. essential fatty acids 5, fiber, 6. enzymes, 7. antibodies, 8. antigens, 9. cell therapy, 10. chelation therapy, 11. dialysis, 12. plasmapharesis, 13. hydrotherapy, 14. thermal therapy, 15. phototherapy, electrotherapy (including electroconvulsive therapy), 17. air ion therapy, 18. light therapy, 19. solar therapy, 20. acupuncture, 21. massage, 22. exercise, 23. biofeedback 24. hypnotherapy and other psychotherapies.
All of the orthomolecular practice rests on a foundation of basic science advances in biochemistry, biophysics, physiology, psychophysiology and ecology. We do not eschew drug therapy or pharmacology; but we do recognize their limitations and their potential for toxicity. Orthomolecular knowledge gives greater choice of benefits for our patients id with less risk of adverse affects.
You're right. Corruption is the problem and sadly the mainstream media is on it. They make lot's of money selling airtime to big pharma customers. We still need doctors and scientists to speak out. Even anonymously on Steemit.
It's great to hear from a scientist. Thanks for being honest.
Indeed, thank you for some great reading!
The system is failing but succeeding
These drug thugs are making billions and we are dying by the millions
FDA APPROVED
vitamins and minerals
Not approved !! No deaths on 30 years
We have nutritional deficiencies from nature not drug deficiencies from science.
A commentary in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine criticized the deficiency of nutrition education in medical training. Citing a 2013 report on US health that identified dietary factors as the single most significant risk factor for disability and premature death, we need to call for changes in medical school curriculum to address the deficit.
Pharmaceutical lobby is actually in the center of it. The thing that I know is true (based on my own experience) is that clinical and pre-clinical testings and trials do last a long time, and they actually do take everything in account. Even though in most cases doctors are not the so called "problem", there is a minority that works on their own agenda. For example (from my experience when I worked at a pharma company) there were doctors on a regular payroll to prescribe medication made by company that I worked for. And even if you do report them, corruptness of the society does its job silencing you in a most sophisticated way. The major problem is exploitation of drugs by the general public. (Every minor headache and regular Jane/Joe "pops a pill") So, we made a drug culture that is hard to stop. Saddest part of it, pharmaceutical companies make huge amounts of money on it. Most used drugs today are anti-depression (anxiety) drugs that are highly addictable, thus making the people that use it regular customers (Xanax, etc.) Only thing that makes me happy is that the world is starting to open their eyes, my generation doesn't lack critical thinking, so we need to be optimistic. Have a great day Sir!
Is that clinical and pre-clinical testings and trials do last a long time, and they actually do take everything in account, no! Far from, the most used pesticide ever, glyphosate, wasen´t even tried on humans..... it was tried 3 months on mice resulting in no cancer, thats it! independent studies show cancer after 6 months... this was 20 years ago we still eat and drink it daily.
We dont know how much of the medicine work so taking everything into account is not possible, all we do is accept certain side effects, if the disease is worse, do you think aids treatments and cancer treatments are safe ? lack side effects ? they are more lethal then the diseases are, just like many many other medicines. Guess who finds this out, the patients suffering massive side effects from it, not the trail subjects, eating a low dose for 7 weeks haha
Safe and effective treatment for AIDS and cancer
TSTO
Tetrasilver TetraOxide
Ag4O4
AgO3
Tetrasilver Tetraoxide AG4O4 is a total-specturm virucide which instantly electrocutes all virus in host organism.
Tetrasilver Tetraoxde is 100% NON-TOXIC to humans.
Anybody can make and use Tetrasilve Tetraoxide Ag4O4.
TSTO Ag4O4 is an ionic molecular compound known as an EJM, electron jumping molecule.
When introduced into a host organis, Ag4O4 is activated by Oxygen and Nitorgen in the blood stream - causing the ionic compound to seek balance, becoming covalent by releaseing the 'extra' electron thus creating a minute electrical charge which instantly electrocutes the HIV/AIDS virus and all viruses.
Albert Einstien College of Medicine's the late Dr. Marvin Antleman, famed inventor, author and rabbi is credited as a pioneer in HIV/AIDS science with his patented "Method of Curing AIDS with Tetrasilver Tetraoxide;" US Patent #5676977. Prior to his death in 2014, Dr. Antleman promoted the use of 200 miligrams of Tetrasilve Tetraoxide for curing HIV/AIDS at both his Rhode Island clinic and by donating at least six doses to AIDS ravaged Africa. Boyd Ed Graves travelled to Africa in 2007 with 70 doses of Tetrasilver Tetraoxide curing 70 terminally ill AIDS patients in Lusaka, Zambia. One year later, 63 had survived with full recovery and seven of the 70 had expired - though cause of death was not determined.
Boyd Ed Graves, became both the first American and African American to be cured of HIV/AIDS using Tetrasilver Tetraoxide in the method outline in his patent, US Patent #5676977, "Method of curing AIDS with Tetrasilver Tetraoxide." Before his 2009 assassination, Dr. Graves' infectious disease doctors at San Diego Veterans' Hospital officially released Graves from HIV care after three years of intense follow-up care in 2004.
For nearly fifteen years, Kansas based publisher, activist and founder of the National Organization for the Advancement of Humanity (NOAH), Joel Bales, has continuiously petitioned both individual medical doctors, policy makers and the medical establishment to recommend (or at the very least offer) TSTO as a first option for both newly diagnosed and long term survivors of HIV/AIDS.
"Realizing Tetrasilver Tetraoxide is a total-spectrum virucide that is completely non-toxic, can be produced and used by anybody and cost pennies on the dollar - it makes no sense why TSTO has not been celebrated and utilized world-wide," Bales said. "In 2002 Graves said the cure was being 'withheld for political reasons,' meanwhile people are dying and suffering under daily doses of toxic anti-retrovirals. It's 2016, H1N1, HPV, HIV, Syphilis and other human disease are still ravaging our populations. It is time people must be informed about the cure and have ability to access it."
In 1977, a secret federal virus program produced 15,000 gallons of AIDS. The record reveals the United States was represented by Dr. Robert Gallo and the USSR was represented by Dr. Novakhatsky of the diabolical Ivanosky Institute. On August 21, 1999, the world first saw the flowchart of the plot to thin the Black Population.
I wrote about this in my profile
Then there are the marketing companies like the "FDA" that do no real studies but can authorize the use of drugs such as Vioxx which was left on the market far too long when it was reported that people were dying from it. What was it? over 60,000 patients had to die before they finally pulled it? There are big problems right in front of us that few question. Sad situation isn't it?
Word.
Huge issue. I am always super skeptic of the rubbish we are advertised and try to find actual medical trials and research - usually finding nothing.
Yeah it's a massive issue and one that needs to stop.
Ever research ICD-9 codes ?
poison and injury
Great work @steemtruth
Wouldn't it be great if this was enough to ensure transparency. Sadly I doubt it though such is the power of big Pharma.
I believe it is down to the individual to do research on what they are being asked to literally swallow.
I think the days have passed where a doctor can be trusted 100% to do what is right for your health, even when they think they are.
It's scary to see how corrupt this system really is. There is a huge conflict of interests between plant/herb-based medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, due to the lack of patentability of mother nature. Where I live, in Norway, everything is illegal unless it has been granted a marketing licence. And to get a marketing licence you have to provide the results of clinical studies, which nobody wants to pay for because the economic incentive isn't there without the patent. It's insane, and it's causing so many people harm :-(
Most fortune 500 companies operate with a profit margin no higher than 5%, while the pharmaceutical industry operates with around 50%. It's sickening. Fortunately the research into cannabis have exploded, and will revolutionize the entire industry.
Oh my god. I did not know about that in Norway. I knew that Youtube is censoring info in Germany, Britain, and other countries. And yes, hopefully cannabis changes the industry.
You've made some very good points @partywalrus
One needs a lot of money if they wish to bring a new plant/herb based medicine to the market and this type of research rarely receives funding. My understanding (at least in some countries) is that plant medicine cannot be patented. This is yet another reason why homeopathy ceased being taught in medical schools many years ago. It is now illegal in many countries for doctors to recommend plant based medicines. Failure to comply may lead to the loss of your medical license.
I've had first-hand experiences with cannabis oil as medicine and the results that I saw were incredible.
@guernicamikan: Most people don't. Norway is like a Mekka for the pharmaceutical industry because of our healthcare system which provides a distorted image of our medical expenditures due to "egenandel"; a fragment of the total cost of the medicine that the Norwegian public has to pay out of their own pockets (the rest is covered through taxation). This gives people the impression that the medicines they use are pretty cheap, while in reality, they are dirt expensive because Big Pharma knows about the financial strength of Norway. Because of legislation, the entire price negotiation is held behind closed doors, and it always ends up leading to more expensive medicines.
@steemtruth: I didn't know homeopathy used to be taught in medical schools many years ago. After reading a metastudy on the subject, I started leaning towards a skepticism, but feel free to share some good articles on the subject I can look into.
Cannabis oil is amazing! My father dodged the wheelchair because of it, and I feel like a new person after I begin supplementing. I'm more relaxed, better focus, losing weight, got more energy etc. Amazing stuff! I'm actually quite involved in activism to legalize CBD oil in Norway. The low levels of THC makes it legal pretty much in all of EU, except in Norway.
Fun fact. The American Medical Association was formed with the main goal of destroying the reputation of homeopathy. At that time 1/3 of doctors in the US were homeopaths.
Just think of where we would be if that ratio still held today...
I've heard that before in my other research. Do you have a link to support the claim? I do know that there were a little over 150 medical schools in the USA in the late 1800's and early 1900's and a number of them were homeopathic schools. The AMA also went after chiropractors and labelling them quacks. The AMA was formed to protect the interests of corporations, period.
Canada has similar rules for supplements; they have to have research backing their use to get an NPN number to allow commercial sale. However bulk herbs I believe are exempt from this.
It is good to push for research validating natural health products. We need to get more holistically minded people into the national associations like the Canadian Cancer Society if we want to see more research in the field. Right now it is dominate by the medical establishment and we are getting the predicable results of suppressing symptoms.
I am very interested in health and think so much misinformation is spread on the subject. People are kind of taught not to ask questions and to just take whats given to them by medical professionals without doing their own research. Therein lies another problem, what sources of information can be trusted? I believe in digging deeper and really checking the sources, and the sources sources, AND looking back to see if historically the information makes sense. I'm not against all modern pharmaceuticals and I'm not for all plant medicine, but I tend to trust more in plant medicine because there is less money to be gained if people can care for themselves... and that's one of my main goals here on Steemit, making the world better by sharing what I've learned about medicinal plants!
Thanks for the read @steemtruth!
Problem is you can't patent a natural remedy like you can a pharmaceutical. Hence, it will never be as profitable,
For this reason, it will never be mainstream and like you said you need to do your own research.
Generally, natural remedies have less side effects, but, all comes down to:
what Paracelsus said — "All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison."
We also know what goes into plant medicine and what the side-effects are. We don't know anywhere near as much about pharmaceutical drugs.
I'll check your blog as I'm interested in medicinal plants. Thanks for stopping by @amymya
Very true. In growing my own plants and making my own medicines I know exactly what I'm consuming :) I'll be keeping the plant posts coming, I have written up a huge list of medicinal plants I've found growing wild and have intentionally planted in my gardens. I wait until inspiration strikes before writing each plant profile, in this case a flu warning, otherwise I feel I can't get the words out right! With spring inching closer I'm sure inspiration will pick up :) Thank you for your interest :)
We have nutritional deficiencies from nature not drug deficiencies from science ;) hopefully my grow room gets bigger
Peashoots
Microgreens
Fenugreek
Watercress
Rosemary
Rainbow chard
Well done, herbs too?
Do I grow herbs? Yes I do!
Cool which kinds?
Great Point!!!
AWESOME TY
#truthtrain
Great post @steemtruth and yes to big pharma we are a potential revenue source from birth the death. Indeed it's difficult for people to understand how ruthless some (certainly not all) people at the top end of this industry can be. They make huge amounts of money from us being sick and as such the sicker we are the more money they make. There is only so much medicine that a human can possibly need or safely take and yet their entire business model revolves around people consuming more and more drugs with each passing year, where does it end?
The drugs themselves are used to treat specific problems, but the treatment of said problems are often at the detriment of other aspects of our health. You may not notice the connection at the time, but you end up taking a pill for one condition which damages another aspect of your health. And so then you take another medicine for the new condition and from there it begins to snowball. It snowballs to the point where you're literally taking handfuls of pills to simply exist and are akin to a big pharma cash cow. Great work my friend!!
@steemtruth excellent article!
Upvoted and resteemed!
With the number of drugs going out, is very difficult for doctors and physicians to be aware of the scientific studies that really show the effects of medication in health conditions and disieases.
We think the real solution here is to have informed patients that can read and understand the studies behind the medication they are taking, because this is more factible to happen.
At @Healthcareport we are trying to spread health education so people can take informed choices, thanks again @steemtruth for doing the same.
God Bless Us All!
I've checked out your page and I'm now following you. There is some excellent information on your site @healthcareport and I look forward to reading more of them. All the very best.
I love how your posts are always very thorough and backed by evidence. Always very informative not just baseless opinions!
Followed and UPed!!!!
Thank you for the support and encouragement @elysolan
How much longer can they rely on the placebo effect? Healing is all around us through plants and our own psyche. Great post btw. BE LOVE BE TRUE FOR THAT IS YOU.
I agree. There's a Japanese scientist called Emoto Masaru who did a study of how consciousness affects water. He exposed water to certain human feelings, music, pictures, etc... and then observed the ice crystals formed by it. Positive feelings formed beautiful crystals and vice versa for negative feelings. If you google his name you'll find a lot of his photos like this one! (I don't own it)
Thank you. I have seen much of his work but am glad that you have also. Keep up the good work....you are doing great. BE LOVE BE TRUE FOR THAT IS YOU.
Thanks for sharing this. I will certainly a closer look at Emoto Masaru's work.
To add to your list, pharmaceutical reps shouldn't exist as a profession, and doctors shouldn't be given freebies for being the highest prescribing doctors in a region. Negative results need funding and so do replication studies. Science being skewed by financial incentives distorts the health and happiness of the society we live in.
Excellent points @charitybot
You too at steemtruth!
The mountain of lies need to crumble
Best article I've seen today and only found it by chance and since I don't believe in coincidence I've posted this to FB FullyInformedPublic and am resteeming. So happy for blockchain. I posted my most recent article to FB but it was marked as "spam" by the FB gestapo so makes me more determined than ever to keep this info safe and blockchain is the only way to go. Meeting some great Steemians here in your comments as well. Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place.
Well that's the best comment of the day Vickie. Thank you for the kind words and for sharing the information. Yes, the blockchain is fantastic. I've found Steemit to be an amazing platform with so many good people involved. It's so much nicer spending time here than on other SM platforms. All the very best Vickie. I look forward to chatting again soon.
Completely agreed. I thought about this awhile back. "Clinical Studies" are NOT "Scientific Studies". Recently, it seems like there's SO many ads on TV advertising medicines or medical treatments.
the revenues for those ads come from Big Pharma. They are a paying customer of the tv networks and many other forms of media. It's no surprise that the media is once again found wanting.
That is just incredible. On American TV there are more drug commercials than anything else. "Medical drugs" are being sold to people before they even go to the doctor. Not only do doctors not really know the details of each drug they prescribe, but they are met with people that think they know what they need. I am not so sure that it is just Government pushing, but it seems like more people are pulling for it. How do we keep people from running toward it?
The tv networks make a lot from drug ads. They are not going to speak too critically about one of their customers unless we demand it.
By educating people on how the game is played. Talking to people, asking doctors good questions, demanding good answers, bringing more people to this platform. It all helps. It's not going to happen overnight but it can happen.
Right on!
Very good friend.
Upvote and resteem
Thank you very much @papma
Yes you are welcome
There is a lot of polarization on certain topics that have to do with worldview. A number of people have looked to science essentially as their religion and thus are not interested in listening to counter arguments for why some science may not be valid because it is a attack on their worldview.
I wrote about it a little back in a former blog post.
https://steemit.com/science/@healthbasics/when-facts-aren-t-accepted-as-facts-how-worldview-determines-interpretation-of-science
Feel free to upvote my comment if you didn't get the chance to read the article when I published it.
One's worldview plays a major role in how we perceive the information that is before us. I have spent a lot of time researching topics pertaining to one's world view and I found your older article to be a good one. Tip: asking for votes is frowned upon by most people on the platform. I'm upvoting you anyway as you've added value to this post but others may not be so kind and flag you instead. I wouldn't but some will. Thanks @healthbasics
Very thought-provoking post. Most governments and pharmaceutical companies aim for profits rather than the good of humanity, and this makes the problem worse.
Governments and corporations are not a healthy mix when left unchecked. Too much power in the hands of too few. I'm glad that you enjoyed the article and I hope that it is of some value. Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with the policy stated above. there must be a special officer who checks on this matter. This is a public deception, and people are the victims of this deceit. I think the doctor should also be more careful in receiving the drug offer from the drug company.
doctors do not just think of personal interests in order to get the rewards and rewards from the drug companies they receive.Such incidents often occur in my area in Indonesia Aceh, many doctors never see and adjust the content of the drugs on offer with the ads that are given by drug companies.with such a curse open my eyes and mind, very many patients in Indonesia especially in Aceh who seek treatment abroad. because the administration of drugs is not in accordance with the disease experienced by the patient. doctors only hold on to one complaint without complete investigation.
I hope the Indonesian government to read this article, and follow-up on the issue of drugs outside of the provisions and the correct composition.
There is a ton of evidence around medical cannabis, yet the FDA and the government in the US don't seem to think so, and they don't allow for any studies.
agreed
Being a science student, naturally this is an issue.
However, I want to point out a quote that Marcia Angell, a former editor of The New England Journal of Medicine (A very prestigious journal) made.
It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Point being even with the "good" research is questionable.
I have that quote saved as well as a few others. I might go back and add them to this post and I might not. I will certainly share them with everyone a little later, maybe in another post. Thanks @supremelongevity
This is awesome and good information to everyone especially the sciencetist
Thanks, that was the aim of the post and it seems that we have scientists and doctors responding in these comments which is awesome!
Good post @steemtruth
Yeah this is right and thats why some vaccination and drug effects go wrong later on life....ive seen a situation wer a virus was given to a child in order to create a system immune for the virus but instead it spread faster than expected
Wow! Educative and informative.
I'm glad you liked it.
This is tragic in our time, that instead of pharmacy to serve medicine, medicine is at the service of pharmacy.
Of Harvard's 8,900 professors and lecturers, 1,600 admit that either they or a family member have had some kind of business link to drug companies — sometimes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars — that could bias their teaching or research right?
"The last annual report of the Rockefeller Foundation", reported Bealle, "itemizes the gifts it has made to colleges and public agencies in the past 44 years, and they total somewhat over half a billion dollars. These colleges, of course, teach their students all the drug lore the Rockefeller pharmaceutical houses want taught. Otherwise there would be no more gifts, just as there are no gifts to any of the 30 odd colleges in the United States that don' t use therapies based on drugs.
"Harvard, with its well-publicized medical school, has received $8,764,433 of Rockefeller's Drug Trust money, Yale got $7,927,800, Johns Hopkins $10,418,531, Washington University in St. Louis $2,842,132, New York's Columbia University $5,424,371, Cornell University $1,709,072, etc., etc."
http://www.whale.to/b/ruesch.html
Drug thugs!!
The Real Thugs of the Drug World
Merck: With a long list of deaths to its credit, and more than $5.5 billion in judgments and fines levied against it, it was five years before Merck made its $30-billion recall of the painkiller Vioxx might be a real killer for some people. After the drug was withdrawn, and 60,000 had already died, Merck picked up the pieces painlessly by getting a new drug fast-tracked and on the market.
The drug Gardasil, a vaccine that so far has been linked to thousands of adverse events and at least 49 unexplained deaths. It's a situation that the FDA and CDC have been denying repeatedly, keeping their heads buried in the sand even as the adverse reports mount.
Baxter: Dozens of recalls of products that caused deaths and injuries, at least 11 different guilty pleas to fraud and illegal sales activity, more than 200 lawsuits – many of them stemming from selling AIDS-tainted blood to hemophiliacs – and more than $1.3 billion in criminal fines and civil penalties.
Pfizer: In the largest health care fraud settlement in history, Pfizer was ordered to pay $2.3 billion to resolve criminal and civil allegations that the company illegally promoted uses of four of its drugs, including the painkiller Bextra, the antipsychotic Geodon, the antibiotic Zyvox, and the anti-epileptic Lyrica.
Celebrex, Vioxx etc etc
GlaxoSmithKline to Plead Guilty and Pay $3 Billion to Resolve Fraud Allegations and Failure to Report Safety Data
Largest Health Care Fraud Settlement in U.S. History
The Washington Post did publish a lengthy summary about a rather huge medical scandal (83 000 deaths or heart attacks), regarding these diabetics treated with Avandia, which tells how a dangerous drug can be voluntarily released worldwide.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/glaxosmithkline-plead-guilty-and-pay-3-billion-resolve-fraud-allegations-and-failure-report
Excellent summary of what really goes on in the medical industry. Thank you for your explanation.
Great article. Thanks
I'm glad that you enjoyed it Scotty :)
It is true that pharmaceuticals continue to make money by producing new drugs which have been introduced day by day, but after some time, it is noted that it has serious side effects!!!! So is our patients considered guinee? It is high time to think that I feel.
Good topic, and well written
I am soo interested with health and I think everyone must prioritize it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom... ;)
Thank you for reading my post and taking the time to comment @georgie84
Good health to you!
Good health to you as well. May you continue to inspire me and others from your thoughts. Keep on steeming because I will follow you all the time... you will see me often ;)
if there is no accurate data it means that the drugs are very dangerous or have no function at all.
I think there are always people who are selfish rather than the interests of others, very in pity
Great article. There are so many better ways to stay healthy. Just look at vaccines. The fact that there are even payouts should scream red flags. I'm a lawyer as well as comic creator, and I do not buy the settlements are to protect them from bad publicity. If you're product is safe, you go to trial and you defend the damn product. When it comes to products on the marketplace, settlements are because the product is defective. Look at all the payouts here.
http://www.wakingtimes.com/2017/05/09/whopping-vaccine-injury-payouts-us-fiscal-year-2017-released/
Agreed, the payouts and compensation fund act as a gatekeeper to justice. When you have something to hide you put in place mechanisms like this to stop the truth coming out.
What an interesting blend.
Thanks for stopping by my page.
Please tell them, if the will hear, there is no short road to good after unhealthy practises has had its toil, too much emphasis on promises that has no scientific backing will only lead to a huge disappointment,i said mine, am out.
I would like to say that you are Doing great job and keep sharing like this. you have Good skill in Writing...
the only true part of the ad is when they say it may cause constipation and suicidal thoughts .
You might be right ;)
This is devastating, this thing is putting lot of lives in danger,
The government should take serious step to correct this.
They Should not risk Human life.
Thanks for sharing this informative article.
God bless you dear.
It seems interresting i followed and up voted. Please keep doing your great work
thank you :)
I really like your posts and I enjoy greatly with all your posts👍
you are Right, Nice work. thanks
good post
Nice post, you have get 100 % upvote from @steemupvotebot, follow us for upvotes, updates and technology related news. To, @steemtruth
I always get scared to read this kind of posts, because I hate the name Drug seriously. But some people want to reach some high level of something no matter what it is ,, so they take anything other people told me it works without any medical treatment, even if they know it may kill them.
Brother
Please check my profile 🙏
I always like your posts!
Hope you also like my post
this may be true...but all drugs need approval process through the regulatory authority that is typically a government organization...whether it is a generic or branded drug made by large pharmaceutical company! We believe that this is not true in a well-developed country in the Europe and the US. Regulation is very tough and that's why people have greater trust in the drugs that come to the market!
With all due respect fellow steemian....and you believe in government. An organisation, wherever in the world, is controlled by the pharmaceutical industry.....follow the money. BE LOVE BE TRUE FOR THAT IS YOU.
I think that you may missed the point. The government agencies that approve these drugs are controlled by the pharmaceutical industry. If you read back through my blogs you will find much evidence for this.
Not true in the country like the U.S... I cannot speak for other country...name me one LEGAL drug that is in the U.S. that is unregulated and not supported by scientific evidence. For approval, you need significant phase I, phase II, and phase III data. This takes years for the company to back their drugs with scientific data to get the approval.No scientific evidence basically equals to illegal drugs.
It is a complete human disease. There is no solution in scientific way. It is possible to heal a drug addicted person with love and proper care.
that is a really interesting post and really well wrighten congrats I wait to see more like this from you keep it up