Selling drugs publicly
 

 

The advertising industry purports to inform the public about the availability of goods, services and activities that will make people happier, healthier and richer. Is it the public good that is being promoted or the good of the producers and pushers of products?

Recently Dr. John Abramson, a Boston doctor, warned Canadians not to open their airwaves, newspapers and magazines to drug advertising. When the US opened the way for direct consumer advertising, patients came in asking for - demanding - heavily advertised expensive drugs they didn't need, and doctors could not convinced them otherwise. They would not accept the possibility that “they don't need a pill for restless leg syndrome, social anxiety disorder...or loss of libido”.

The company research prior to a new drug being released has tended to be skimpy with unfavourable findings often suppressed. The results, reported in the scientific/medical journals, gave doctors and citizens information, manufacturers pending patent rights and the advertising agencies lucrative contracts. Heavy consumer advertising, however, has compromised patient safety, increased health care costs and distorted doctor-patient relationships.

Canada's prohibition on direct advertising to consumers by drug companies is being challenged right now in the courts by a large advertising conglomerate claiming that the prohibition is a violation of the constitutional guarantee of free speech.

Happiness, wholeness and richness are the states of being when the actions of the body, energies, feelings and thoughts are coordinated to serve lasting ideals. They are not derived from things, persons or drugs as the producers, purveyors and others would have the populace believe. Note that the word “health” comes from Old English and German words meaning “wholeness” and “holiness” suggesting something sacred.

Does unbridled commerce and the promotion of such serve to make a better world? Philosophers, as lovers of wisdom, may contribute this to the discussion: that what serves to make a better world is that which serves to make a better, more whole human being. For only through whole, healthy people do we make a whole, healthy world.
 

 

March 20, 2008

TO PRINT News on Society What's new ?

© New Acropolis Canada