[ExI] free access to drugs (was Re: U.S. Medical Care)

[BillK]

On 4/2/09, Damien Broderick wrote:
>  Wouldn't that be narco-capitalist?  :)
>


No. Capitalist is actually a better description.
Or, actually more like state capitalism.

OTC (Over the Counter) drugs are allowed for treatment of specific
short-term illnesses that patients can easily diagnose and treat
themselves. There is an ongoing movement to get more and more drugs
given OTC status. So the 'freedom' supporters are in line with what is
currently happening.  Yeehaw!!!!

Unfortunately when you look at what is happening in more detail, you
find that big pharma is one of the main supporters. Their main
objective is increased sales, driven by colourful advertising to as
much of the general public as they can persuade to waste money on
their products. It's not freedom, - it's more 'con the mugs for as
much as you can'.

Pharmacists also welcome more OTC drugs as producing more profit for
themselves. They already now stock homeopathic remedies and 'natural'
remedies on the next counter and much of the public cannot tell the
difference.

And, guess who the other supporters are? It's the government and
health plan companies. Why? Because the more drugs you spend your own
money on, the less the government has to pay for through national
health schemes. They want to reduce their huge prescription drug
costs. Most OTC drugs are not covered by health plans, so the cost is
transferred to the general public.

So, do you really want to support changes that are supported by big
pharma, the government and pharmacist shop chains? Do you think they
really have your best interests at heart?

BillK