Superman Sells Viagra!

Today I thought I'd pick on a post I came across on the BBC by a certain gentleman named Dr Richard Barker, the "Director General of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry".

You can find the article here.

In short, Dr Barker suggests that the contribution of the pharmaceutical industry is diminished by the perception that it is a greedy giant profiting at the expense of sick people. He suggests that the industry does not receive the recognition it deserves and goes on to talk about "unsung heroes" working on the front line "on a mission to address human disease."

Readers of this article could be excused for becoming quite choked up by the unfairness of it all. First Dr Barker puts a very human face on the nebulus giant. Then he tugs at the very roots of British pride by outlining medical accomplishments from Alexander Fleming (the Scot who discovered penicillin in 1928) to today's cutting edge UK research.

And I quote ... "Personally, I believe we are living in a very fortunate age. Since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, enormous advances have been made in terms of improving public health."

An indisputable contribution, no doubt. Anyone suffering from acute injury or disease, or anyone requiring palliative care has to be profoundly, enormously grateful that we live in modern times. Likewise, infectious diseases of the past have indeed been virtually erradicated ... and we have modern medicine to thank for that. No issues there, Sir.

But has the "public health" really improved? Chronic degenerative diseases resulting from preventable causes are now at unprecedented levels. "Adult-onset diabetes" has been renamed "Type 2" because it is such a huge factor in children now. Dementia in middle-age. Obesity and metabolic disorders ... the list goes on and on. And yes, we have ways of alleviating the symptoms. And yes, this means less suffering and fewer premature deaths.

But is the state of public health something any industry should be crowing about? The pharmaceutical industry is a master at symptom alleviation. You can buy medications for diarrhoea, constipation, pain, depression, weight-loss, sexual dysfunction, high cholesterol ... the list is endless. And every one of these conditions is largely preventable by lifestyle change.

About altruism, not money? Sure, why not? We need another hero. And we'll buy anything. But when will this industry start funding initiatives that show people how they can live healthier lives and avoid the need for symptom relief altogether? And not just cosmetic gestures?

I didn't think so.