Britons believe in 'a pill for every ill'.

[Mr T.]

Britons believe in a pill for every ill
By Becky Barrow
(Filed: 04/04/2005)

Britain has turned into a society that relies on drugs and believes there is "a pill for every ill", according to an influential Commons health select committee.

A seven-month inquiry, which is due to report today, is expected to warn that people are increasingly relying on medicinal cures rather than preventative methods or cheaper therapies.

Paul Flynn, the Labour MP who gave evidence to the committee, told the Observer: "Society has been conditioned to believe we are dependent on medicines. I have had arthritis all my life and I haven't taken anything for it. I believe in exercise, swimming and walking."

Among evidence given at last year's hearings, MPs were told of "disease-mongering" drug companies that invent illnesses, such as mild depression or low female sex drive, to sell "miracle cures".

Lord Warner, the health minister, admitted to the inquiry: "I have some concerns that sometimes we do wish to put labels on things which are just part and parcel of the human condition."

The inquiry also heard claims that many articles in medical journals were written by members of the industry with a vested interest in selling the drugs involved. Respected clinicians were then paid to have their names put at the top of the articles.

[littleH]

Originally Posted by Mr T.

Britons believe in a pill for every ill
By Becky Barrow
(Filed: 04/04/2005)
Among evidence given at last year's hearings, MPs were told of "disease-mongering" drug companies that invent illnesses, such as mild depression or low female sex drive, to sell "miracle cures".

look at the diet pill - that always makes me laugh - i want to scream at the people who think it helps or actually does something well stop eating burgers and sh1te and do some excercise (sp) and i know some people are 'big' because of medical reasons.

you're going to tell me it does work now aren't you!!!

[Odin]

Viagra and Ecstacy and Rohypnol mix do it for me....

[turbanator]

Doctor: This is the worst case of hypochondria I've come across.

Patient: Can you give me pills for that?

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by littleH

look at the diet pill - that always makes me laugh - i want to scream at the people who think it helps or actually does something, well stop eating burgers and sh1te and do some excercise (sp) and i know some people are 'big' because of medical reasons.

you're going to tell me it does work now aren't you!!!

Far from it love. I'm with you in the "stop eating burgers and sh1te and do some excercise" stakes (no pun intended). Most folks - other than those with a genuine medical condition - who insist that 'being big' is not their fault and east shite and do no exercise only have to look to themselves for the cure. It doesn't matter how many fad diets they try, the only sure way to lose weight is to quit the burgers and either hit the gym or get out and run (it's free) and stop fooling themselves.

[NotDeadYet]

Noticed a sign up in my gym today:

"Buy the results you want today!"

Says it all really.

[Helen F H]

I go running/walking/staggering every other night - . I eat as healthily as i can (which is hard when you live with someone who thinks they will dissolve if they eat any veggies), but only lose lard very slowly. I watched "Supersize me" yesterday and he put on i think it was 18 pounds in one month living off Mcdonalds. It took him 9 months to lose it.

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by Porg

It took him 9 months to lose it.

But he lost it.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Mr T.

But he lost it.

Yeah, i lost 3kg in 3 weeks, pretty drastic, purely through being really good and going out exercising every other night. I cant keep it up though - being that good . I think (and a point made in the film) was that people expect overnight results, and you aint going to get them.

[littleH]

i don't care what size you are - i love you all you're all just plain lovely and don't make me feel as stupid as i really am!!! oh and you have to take me diving sometime please somewhere other that capers