Big Pharma

Big Pharma

First, let me state one caveat. This article is not intended for people who through no fault of their own must take some sort of medication. It is targeted at a group of people who don’t take care of themselves, overeat, eat the wrong foods, and lead a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, these people represent most of the population in North America.  

Let’s face it. We are a society of blamers. Nothing is our fault, it’s always someone else’s. Did you know that 95% of the lawsuits in the world, that’s right “the world” take place in the United States? So, when I hear the trope “Big Pharma” and the implicit conspiracy theory I cringe. Is it Big Pharma that, in cahoots with the medical profession, is responsible for our pill taking?  Is there some vast conspiracy that forces us to take the pills that Big Pharma produce and our doctors prescribe? 

A while back a savvy entrepreneur opened a Kosher hamburger restaurant in Manhattan. With huge fanfare and an ad campaign he touted a hamburger for 180.00. It came wrapped in gold leaf and had all the trimmings. Social media went crazy. Most of the comments I saw were incredulous. How can he do such a thing. It’s terrible. Close him down. Take away the hechsher (Kosher certification). It’s obscene. Really? I called him savvy for a reason. All he is doing is selling into an existing market. Let’s be real. People love to eat, the more the better. Look at the pictures at a Simcha (Wedding or Bar Mitzvah). Or scroll through the pictures of the latest Shluchim convention. You know what I am talking about. It’s an epidemic. 

Yet, when the doctor tells you that you are pre-diabetic, or you have high cholesterol. and you need to exercise and eat better do you listen? I know that I didn't. In one ear and out the other.  And when he tells you that you need pills who do you blame? Yourself? No. I want the quick fix, give me the pill. The ugly truth is that the drug companies are just selling into an existing market. Just like the hamburger guy. It’s time to look in the mirror. Many conditions that you are taking pills for are preventable with proper eating and a bit of exercise. But we want the easy way out. And we are getting what we want. More pills from Big Pharma. They aren’t stupid. They want to make profits just like you do.  And they will produce the pills that generate the biggest profit. Think Viagra. 

And it’s not only the drug companies. There are supplement companies out there who will sell you all kinds of supplements that purport to make you healthy. They claim that the pharmaceutical companies in cahoots with the medical profession are out to get you. They want you to take as many pills as they can churn out. Let's fight big pharma. Take this supplement to make you healthy. This one for your kidneys. That one for your liver, this one will keep your weight down etc. They are also making billions of dollars. They are selling into the “quick fix” mentality, just like big pharma. 

But here is the unvarnished truth. You are responsible for taking care of yourself. The Rambam didn’t put healthy eating and exercise in the Mishnah Torah as advice for good living. It’s there because it’s a Mitzvah. That means you have an obligation to fulfill it to the best of your ability. 

Here is the saddest part about unhealthy eating habits and sedentary living.  Your children see you and emulate you. You are setting them up for health problems from a young age. 

So, the way to fight big pharma is not by talking about them at the Shul kiddush while eating another piece of kishkah and washing it down with Coke or Pepsi. It’s by eating healthier and exercising. If everyone in North America did that, we would need much less of those medications and health supplements that are being touted as the next best thing.