Skinny or Sickly?

Bay Flavor Society Series

“Polite, civilized society depends on the ability to say things that are not always sincere.”

- from The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

Where I Borrowed Image From

The pharmaceutical-industrial complex strikes again! And so has South Park! More on those guys later. The “Ozempic craze” seems to be sweeping the United States. This is merely the latest in a long line of products that Big Pharma is supplying to the American public. From Vioxx to OxyContin to Celebrex to the COVID-19 vaccines, the pharmaceutical companies seem to always have a “miracle drug” up their sleeves. A perfect (sometimes untested) solution to a problem that could be fixed at the root by educating people on diet and exercise. In no way am I saying that pharmaceuticals do not help many people or do not serve a purpose. To make such a claim would be a lie. Prescription drugs and vaccines have helped many people throughout the years and will continue to do so, Lord willing!  

These medicines have morphed into something different these past 20-30 years, however. The word “products” is more suitable than “medicines” these days. The American public are seen more as customers than patients in the eyes of Big Pharma. Did you know that there are only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs? I’m sure you can guess at least one of those countries (and hear Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA playing in your head at the same time). The United States and New Zealand are the only countries on Earth that allow prescription drug advertisements directly to consumers. In most other countries, direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medications is prohibited. These countries typically allow advertising of over-the-counter drugs but require that prescription drugs be marketed only to healthcare professionals. 

Since I started my very own health journey in 2017, I have been rather vocal about the pharmaceutical industry and its menacing grip on our lives as Americans. “They” were always the bad guy in my mind. When I started actively selling nutraceuticals (referring to products that are derived from food sources with added health benefits beyond the basic nutritional value found in foods), I realized that Big Pharma was only part of the problem. The other part is the American public. Allow me to explain...