The Pharmaceutical Companies are Evil

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May 11, 2008
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Yep, If you want to talk about an industry built on corruption and lies, lets talk about the chiropractors industry. I've yet to meet someone that goes to the chiropractor that doesn't have to make repeat visits for life for their "problem". They are in the business of making your back pop and then telling you to come back again to keep it aligned.

Although some are scam artists, the issue is a lack of movement. And some do understand that.
The more pain you have, the more movement you need to relief yourself from pain. This will increase bloodflow and will reduce any swellings pressing on nerves. At least that seems to be the case for me. As such i need a regular walk of walking stairs or just walk. I my self am a chronic suffer of backpain. My vertebral column is damaged between L3-L4 and L4-L5. As long as i move, i can regain my flexibility and reduce the pain to an amount i do not feel anything and can even lift without blinding sweat attacks. And no , i am not overweight , never been and i have always been sporting. But for some reason yet to discover these parts of my collumn are damaged. I even have pictures. The doctors could bolt me together with titanium (fusing 3 vertebra )but then i would loose a lot of movement and within 15 years need another operation because over stretching and over using other vertebra and
intervertebral discs. I am planning for another kind of treatment, though. It is surgical where they polish the vertebra and not fix them.

It drains my strength to keep those muscles around my spine activated but it is worth it. Because i will need them to become stronger and all the surrounding support tissues as well.


05-4_Overall_Spine.jpg
 
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Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
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LOL you're kidding, right?

Educate yourself... go ahead and Google and come back showing me how chiropractic care causes more deaths or injuries that pharmaceutical drugs. Hell, taking NSAIDs have a higher risk of dangerous side effect than chiropractic care

... but above all else, stay on topic. This is a thread about bullshit tactics of the pharmaceutical industry doesthat puts people at serious health risks in order to make a profit and how they rarely go unchecked.

Find doctors that you trust.

/thread
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
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Yep, If you want to talk about an industry built on corruption and lies, lets talk about the chiropractors industry. I've yet to meet someone that goes to the chiropractor that doesn't have to make repeat visits for life for their "problem". They are in the business of making your back pop and then telling you to come back again to keep it aligned.

i was going to write a response to this, but i'd rather not have this thread be about anything other than the pharmaceutical industry.

yhpm
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
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i was going to write a response to this, but i'd rather not have this thread be about anything other than the pharmaceutical industry.

yhpm

Never got the PM.

Let me qualify my statement. I don't doubt that there are many well meaning and good chiropractors out there that generally have a scientific basing for why they do what they do. However, there is a LARGE percentage of them that are quacks (And perhaps I'm tainted by my location, but most around here are quacks.)

On the other hand, Pharmaceutical doctors and, in general, non-chiropractic medical practitioners, tend not to have the same level of quackary among them. The pharmaceutical industry has to go through some pretty rigorous testing before they can release any sort of drug onto the market. Do some bad drugs get through? Yes. Do some doctors over prescribe? yes. However, by and large, they don't.

I am certainly opposed to the pill-popping attitudes that a lot of Americans have. However, I do think the pharmaceutical industry, in general, is working towards producing needed drugs (At a profit of course).



http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirochoose.html My opinions of a good chiropractor

An example of the typical chiropractor where I live. http://www.saltlakechiropractor.com/
 

Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
5,394
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Deleted... sending pm.

PM received and responded to.

As for bigpharm, I'll agree that they may make use of less-than-savory tactics and practices. However, it's tough to simply look at the number of deaths related to a certain medication and say that the drug does more harm than good. You also have to consider what improvements with respect to quality of life said drug may have brought about, what the survivability of the various conditions would be without medication or on different medication, etc. It's definitely a complicated issue.

IMO, the widespread advertising that has seemingly brought on the "there's a pill for everything" mentality has probably caused some significant setbacks with respect to self-care and the proper utilization of medical resources.
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
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---small snip---
IMO, the widespread advertising that has seemingly brought on the "there's a pill for everything" mentality has probably caused some significant setbacks with respect to self-care and the proper utilization of medical resources.

imho, they should reverse the decision to allow advertising of prescription drugs on TV. I don't see any good reason for allowing it. I wonder what the big pharm expenses look like when comparing marketing to R&D.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
25,015
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Never got the PM.

Let me qualify my statement. I don't doubt that there are many well meaning and good chiropractors out there that generally have a scientific basing for why they do what they do. However, there is a LARGE percentage of them that are quacks (And perhaps I'm tainted by my location, but most around here are quacks.)

On the other hand, Pharmaceutical doctors and, in general, non-chiropractic medical practitioners, tend not to have the same level of quackary among them. The pharmaceutical industry has to go through some pretty rigorous testing before they can release any sort of drug onto the market. Do some bad drugs get through? Yes. Do some doctors over prescribe? yes. However, by and large, they don't.

I am certainly opposed to the pill-popping attitudes that a lot of Americans have. However, I do think the pharmaceutical industry, in general, is working towards producing needed drugs (At a profit of course).



http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chirochoose.html My opinions of a good chiropractor

An example of the typical chiropractor where I live. http://www.saltlakechiropractor.com/

sorry, i sent it to capt caveman instead by accident.

please stfu about the chiropractic thing... i don't know how many times i've asked to keep this thread on topic. chiropractic care is NOT the topic.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
25,015
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On the other hand, Pharmaceutical doctors and, in general, non-chiropractic medical practitioners, tend not to have the same level of quackary among them. The pharmaceutical industry has to go through some pretty rigorous testing before they can release any sort of drug onto the market. Do some bad drugs get through? Yes. Do some doctors over prescribe? yes. However, by and large, they don't.

I am certainly opposed to the pill-popping attitudes that a lot of Americans have. However, I do think the pharmaceutical industry, in general, is working towards producing needed drugs (At a profit of course).

the kind of testing isn't the issue. it's the way they go about getting people to buy drugs for bullshit diagnoses of which they funded their creation. not only that, but it's about how their practices are knowingly hurting people in the name of making more money.

on top of that, clinical trials are sometimes bullshit anyway. AND big pharma likes to bribe and hide important information that points out negative affects or dangers that their drugs pose... it isn't until it's hurt over 50,000 people or so that the fda starts to give a damn and investigate.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-...isks-from-louisiana-agency-official-says.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/028389_Pfizer_HRT_drugs.html
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Safety/does_tylenol_cause_asthma_in_teens_081420100248.html
http://www.bnet.com/blog/drug-busin...n-pullback-is-a-lesson-in-what-not-to-do/4875
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3248310/Obesity-drug-linked-to-suicides-taken-off-the-market.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/15/eveningnews/main612150.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/news/20070330/ibs-drug-zelnorm-taken-off-us-market
etc.

this shit is just getting a little ridiculous... it's getting out of control. i can't sit on the sofa with my girlfriend and watch a program without being told by astrazeneca, pfizer, merck, lilly, etc that i've got something wrong with me and that i should ask my doctor about it and ask for this magic pill that will make life frigging perfect.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
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imho, they should reverse the decision to allow advertising of prescription drugs on TV. I don't see any good reason for allowing it. I wonder what the big pharm expenses look like when comparing marketing to R&D.

dude, you and me both.

but i'm afraid that banning the advertising of a sales product would be viewed as unconstitutional under the first amendment...

maybe huge taxes placed on drug companies for direct-to-consumer advertising might help... that as well as flooding the tv with mock drug ads where they're selling a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet rather than a drug... and something like "side effects may include weight loss, a better outlook on life, stress relief, normal blood pressure, better sex life, and many many more"
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,445
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the kind of testing isn't the issue. it's the way they go about getting people to buy drugs for bullshit diagnoses of which they funded their creation. not only that, but it's about how their practices are knowingly hurting people in the name of making more money.

Modern survival of the fittest? :p

Honestly, you should always ask your doctor every question you can think of about any prescribed medication, then research it online, then call and ask any more questions you thought of. Every drug out there has its' own separate website, with exacting information about when it should be used and what the side effects are. At the end of the day, you are in charge of your own health and selecting your doctor and you should be thorough about how you handle both tasks.

I've voluntarily switched off a drug and onto another one to treat my rheumatoid arthritis because I had a planned change in lifestyle and I was familiar with the side effects of drug A and knew I didn't want the potential side effects. Likewise, I've gone through several rheumatologists to find one I felt was well-educated, up to date on her knowledge and had a patients-first approach.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
25,015
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you know what is REALLY annoying? our medical system of treating patients with pills is called "healthcare"... it couldn't be any worse of a term.

they need to start calling it "sickcare" and start calling healthcare "healthcare"... and we need to start moving away from sickcare and moving towards REAL healthcare.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
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dude, you and me both.

but i'm afraid that banning the advertising of a sales product would be viewed as unconstitutional under the first amendment...
Just like the banning of cigarette advertisements!!! Oh wait...

maybe huge taxes placed on drug companies for direct-to-consumer advertising might help... that as well as flooding the tv with mock drug ads where they're selling a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet rather than a drug... and something like "side effects may include weight loss, a better outlook on life, stress relief, normal blood pressure, better sex life, and many many more"

They actually do run adds like that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbZW7Lm04M

Drugs, and the companies that make them, aren't evil. They are a business, so yes, they try and sell their product. However, I would rather have a world filed with anti-depressant commercials and pharmaceutical companies looking for the next best thing, then one without the commercials and companies that have less funds to look for cures.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
106
you know what is REALLY annoying? our medical system of treating patients with pills is called "healthcare"... it couldn't be any worse of a term.

they need to start calling it "sickcare" and start calling healthcare "healthcare"... and we need to start moving away from sickcare and moving towards REAL healthcare.

Most illnesses we get are treatable with chemicals, and most good doctors advocate a healthy life style. People are, however, lazy. They would rather have a big mac now and a heart attack later. They know the risks, but take them anyways.
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
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dude, you and me both.

but i'm afraid that banning the advertising of a sales product would be viewed as unconstitutional under the first amendment...
No, it's not that. Can't advertise tobacco on TV for starters. The FCC is pretty ridiculous.. you can't say "fuck" (cue George Carlin) and you can't show someone consuming alcohol in an advertisement.

I don't know if it was the FCC or the FDA or something else that caved to allow prescription ads though. kudos to their lobbyists, I guess.
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
9,088
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Personally, I think that all three groups are culpable: pharm. co's, MD's and patients.

The MD's are the biggest problem, though. They should be looking out for the best interests of their patients and protecting them from the pharm co's.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
134
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Personally, I think that all three groups are culpable: pharm. co's, MD's and patients.

The MD's are the biggest problem, though. They should be looking out for the best interests of their patients and protecting them from the pharm co's.

MD's aren't usually bad with over prescribing drugs. The worst offenders are psychiatrists.
 

Gibsons

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
12,530
35
91
Just like the banning of cigarette advertisements!!! Oh wait...



They actually do run adds like that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbZW7Lm04M

Drugs, and the companies that make them, aren't evil. They are a business, so yes, they try and sell their product. However, I would rather have a world filed with anti-depressant commercials and pharmaceutical companies looking for the next best thing, then one without the commercials and companies that have less funds to look for cures.

hm, reminds me of the novel antibiotic conundrum, to coin a phrase. I wonder if increased profits from marketing are turned around toward R&D to any degree. Probably can't be proved either way, unless you're on the board of directors or something.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
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Personally, I think that all three groups are culpable: pharm. co's, MD's and patients.

The MD's are the biggest problem, though. They should be looking out for the best interests of their patients and protecting them from the pharm co's.

If your doctor is over prescribing you need to switch doctors. Information about medications, their uses and their side effects have never been more available to consumers yet people are still blaming everyone else. If you question why you need a medicine look it up! It's your health, take charge and figure out if what they're telling you makes sense.
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,283
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I was under the impression that psychiatrists are MD's, otherwise they couldn't prescribe drugs.

Yes, they are MD's. However, they aren't ALL MDs. To say that all MDs suck because psychiatrists do is like saying all homes suck because mine does. I'm saying there is a specific field of medicine that offends more often the others as far as over prescription goes.
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
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Yes, they are MD's. However, they aren't ALL MDs. To say that all MDs suck because psychiatrists do is like saying all homes suck because mine does. I'm saying there is a specific field of medicine that offends more often the others as far as over prescription goes.

You're missing my whole point.

The doctors who are bad are the individuals who are overperscribing or misprescribing. It doesn't matter what field of medicine they practice, they have a moral obligation to their patients and are failing them.

Also, lets not act like this only happens in psychiatry...
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,445
127
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if your doctor is over prescribing you need to switch doctors. Information about medications, their uses and their side effects have never been more available to consumers yet people are still blaming everyone else. If you question why you need a medicine look it up! It's your health, take charge and figure out if what they're telling you makes sense.

qfmft
 
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