No wonder we are all health-obsessed when these drug companies deliberately inflate the incidence of many health conditions. And how can we ever trust docs who are so carefully groomed and educated by companies whose sole motivation is to sell their product? This is quite scary.

Drug companies have largely taken over the field of doctor education, in part by bankrolling physician education courses at medical schools.

Critics say the practice increases medical costs by encouraging doctors to write prescriptions for expensive brand-name drugs and by exaggerating the frequency and prevalence of rare conditions. It also promotes the use of drugs not approved for the ailments.

A Journal Sentinel investigation found that industry-funded doctor education courses offered at UW often present a slanted view by favoring prescription medications over non-drug therapies and by failing to mention important side effects. (excerpt from article)


http://www.jsonline.com/news/42064977.html

Thanks for sharing - this is a HUGE problem.

It seems "advertising" finds its way into every facet of life...

JJ