Talk about health

Over the most of the time I have been involved in the pharmacy business I've probably been too busy trying to earn a living to worry too much about the drugs I sold over-the-counter or supplied on prescription to my many patients. It's only in the past six or seven years that I had the inclination to consider how things have changed.

I was a child about the time when penicillin became available, and was truly grateful for its actions. It probably kept me alive then, when my health was none too good.

The intervening years were highlighted by various breakthroughs in drug design and treatments. I along with many others were dazzled by the science and the apparent advantages to mankind.

But now, the drug world is dominated by a few multi-national drug giants, making vast annual profits and which now wield enormous political power. And now, we can all see some of the disadvantages of having all that power in relatively few hands.

Companies have been accused of suppressing clinical trials results that didn't suit their purposes. The company that marketed the anti-arthritis drug, Vioxx, is fighting for its life in the US courts in the face of thousands of lawsuits. This follows the revelation that Vioxx can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

One observer has calculated that if the company loses half of these cases, it will go bankrupt. I have no idea of this is true, and we'll have to wait and see.

But I've just read of another problem for the same company. This time, its osteoporosis drug is sited as causing unexpected side effects, and the company finds itself in court again.

All of this is on top of the publicity caused after six youg men in the UK reacted badly to a single dose of a trial drug.

Meanwhile, there are websites out there which reveal the many drawbacks of conventional drug therapy.

I have come to understand that complementary and alternative therapies have a lot to offer, and it's tempting in the light of all the negative publicity to close your eyes to conventional drug treatments altogether.

But, I rekon that all it takes is some calm perspective. The health picture is complex and personal. Take on overview of what's on offer, and cherry-pick what suits your needs.

In order to do that you owe it to yourself to find out what the various therapies have to offer. A little knowledge need not be a dangerous thing at all. It brings lots of things into focus and clears the path.

The last few years have been something of a revelation to me. I thought alternative therapies were a bit "way out" for me. But, no more! In many cases, their logic and accomplishments can equal or even surpass convention.

The bottom line is that all therapies have something to offer; something to contribute to your health picture. Don't be left out. Check out our booklet and report selection at www.healthexplored.co.uk