It’s a vast changing world we live in. Yes, it may seem like our problems are getting bigger but our solutions are getting smaller. If you don’t yet live in a society that has a medical name/classification for everything that you suffer from, don’t worry because it will catch on. Right now there are only two countries in the world where direct to consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs is legal. That means in those two countries, the pharmaceutical companies are allowed to reach out to the end user (consumers) themselves and thus you’ll find very interesting and unique adverts being televised. So unique they are that you’d probably be able to diagnose yourself with some kind of medical disease you never knew you had (or existed to begin with) and go up to your doctor asking for the “correct medication” to remedy your disorder.
Now I suppose there are good and bad to that. Pharmaceuticals and their “unique” adverts may be viewed as educational as it provokes consumers/patients to question their present diagnosis/issues. Because let’s face facts, doctors don’t know everything and I’m certain not saying the drug companies do either – but I’ll get to that one. From my own personal experience I can tell you some doctors are really arrogant self-conceited fools. They diagnose based on what they feel you should have rather than listen to you about what’s really wrong. I’ve had allergies all my life and I know when I’m suffering from an attack, there’s no need or time to be condescending asking me how I know it’s anaphylactic shock nor is there a need to be that smart to say it’s dengue fever. The point is, when pharmaceuticals market their product to the public, they are also educating them about the ailment and the possible solutions.
Now for the bad part of it. The pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd most profitable industry in the world, tail gating behind cosmetics and petroleum. Why is it so big an industry? Because it’s an industry that’s creating a market where it did not exist before. Like I said earlier, everything you suffer from can and will be turned into a medical condition. Whilst I do not doubt that some conditions are true as it is a physical failure, some clearly are not. Conditions such as FSD (Female Sexual Dysfunction) are subjective and both you and I know that as women what affect us most when it comes to intimacy are our emotions. If you’re not attracted to someone or he’s hurt your feelings then to expect sexual arousal and interest to get intimate is just silly. Yes I know some women’s issue is physical, but a pill or a patch of testosterone isn’t the fix for everyone.
I say it’s important now more than ever for everyone to be in charge of their health, their lives and not just succumb to every advert and promise that comes over the telly or the papers. Sometimes you’re just having a rough day, you’re tired it happens. It doesn’t mean your medically sick and it certainly doesn’t mean you need a pill to fix yourself.
