I was recently pointed in the direction of
this article, while
this article explains why many people haven't heard about it.
It seems that scientists cured cancer.
Okay, not exactly. Scientists in Canada discovered that a drug that's been used for years for metabolism disorders, can kill cancer cells. While many people's opinion would have you believe that the reason this hasn't gotten out is because the drug is cheap, wouldn't profit the drug companies, and therefore the drug companies are suppressing it. In reality, clinical trials have not yet begun on humans, so there is no guarantee it works yet.
That doesn't let the drug companies off the hook though. The above info does offer me a segue way into a topic I've been meaning to discuss. The past few years have seen the American public get bombarded with ads for drugs. Drugs that will help you sleep, that will stop your allergies, that lower cholesterol, and offer "natural male enhancement." It seems no matter the ailment, the drug companies have a cure for you.
Sure, the drugs will cost a lot of money, but it's a small price to pay for wellness, right? Oh, and there might be a few side effects as well. Just listen to the fast-talking guy at the end of the commercials, he'll run off that list of side effects for you. I find it peculiar though, that in an ad for a sleep aid, one of the side effects was drowsiness. Oh really?? A sleep aid might make me sleepy as a
side effect? Oh, and I forgot what drug it was, but one of the side effects listed was death. Yes, you read that right.
DEATH.
And yet many doctors in private practice are willing to pawn these drugs off to you without hesitation. A few years back I went into the doctor for what reason I can't recall, but it certainly wasn't cholesterol related. And yet the doctor miraculously pointed out my cholesterol could use some lowering, and gave me the latest thing in cholesterol-lowering drugs. It felt like the office scene in
What About Bob. It was like, "you know, this revolutionary new drug just came on the market...ahh!"
I don't have the best health insurance in the world (like much of the U.S.) so my miracle drug cost..well, let's say it was a lot. Needless to say I didn't refill the prescription. That's the big kick in the pants for most people. These pills probably don't cost much to make, but they sure as heck will charge you a ton of money for them. Many people can't afford such drugs. I used to enjoy my parents' government health insurance. It covered just about everything. Antidepressants didn't cost all that much. But once I went "out on my own" with the health insurance, I had to (dangerously) phase out my antidepressants, because bottles cost well over $100.
That's the big annoyance in all this: money. People in the pharmaceutical companies make big bucks. They push the drugs on the private practice doctors, who then also make big bucks. In the meantime, the doctors who do the "real" medicine - the ones in the hospitals and emergency rooms - typically don't make all that much. And the people who need the care can't afford all that much either. Forget about getting sick or injured, people - we simply can't afford it. Strange to think our health care system lags behind so many other countries.
The pharmaceutical companies KNOW they are gouging the populace with the prices. And the populace, being the geniuses we are, still buy the drugs. After all, we "need" them. At least that's what the commercials are telling us. You won't get a good night's sleep without our drugs (despite many home remedies). You won't lower your cholesterol without our drugs (despite many foods that lower it). Oh and men, your wife won't love you if you don't naturally enlarge your man parts.
But guess what, people. The medical community just isn't that smart sometimes! Cocaine used to be a medical treatment. Oh, and doctors used to do commercials for cigarettes.
That's not to say I won't fall into the "natural" cure
trap. (Admit it, you've seen his book in stores and thought about purchasing it) Nope, I'm just left to accept the truth. I can't escape the plethora of drug ads on TV. I can't escape private practice doctors pushing drugs on me. Oh well. I'm out of things to say. Is there a drug that will help that?
