Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 4, 2013, at 3:07:11
In reply to Re: Risk » ed_uk2010, posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2013, at 19:15:52
> Ed seriously think it's cause they want people to spend money on meds? How brilliant is this!!! And then there is the new guidelines for normal thyroid, and blood sugar also. I think you just solved what most likely isn't a mystery but how to recreate revenue for the drug companies. PJ
Drug companies are very good at selling, a do have an influence on guidelines due to their massive influence on the medical profession as a whole. Their influence in the US is probably greater than in most countries, particularly due to direct-to-consumer advertising of Rx drugs, and 'samples', which are banned in most countries. Samples are an excellent way for drug companies to get pts on the most expensive drugs possible and make it seem like a great deal. In the long run, it is far from it. Of course, lots of pts do need expensive drugs, just not half the population ;)
For sure, low cholesterol targets are an excellent idea for pts with established heart disease or multiple risk factors, but not entirely necessary for every member of the general population, who would be better off eating well and riding their bike... now who does that remind me of? :)
On the other hand, statins do have many virtues... so long as people don't use them as an 'excuse' to keep eating McDonalds for breakfast.
poster:ed_uk2010
thread:1053481
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20131115/msgs/1055399.html