Comments on: Big Bucks, Big Pharma Documentary: Marketing Disease and Pushing Drugs http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/ Serving up health and fitness insights (daily, of course) with a side of irreverence. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:27:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: WEL http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-123198 WEL Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:48:02 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-123198 MAXIDEX WARNING I had eye surgery and in the post-op pack was MAXIDEX(dexamethasone) drops by ALCON LABS. Two days later I was BLIND Use Google and enter EPOCRATES MAXIDEX to verify MAXIDEX WARNING

I had eye surgery and in the post-op pack was MAXIDEX(dexamethasone) drops by ALCON LABS.

Two days later I was BLIND

Use Google and enter EPOCRATES MAXIDEX to verify

]]> By: THB http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33867 THB Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:23:06 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33867 Mark, you're doing a great job and this is a great post! Why more people aren't outraged at the way our health is treated in this country is beyond me. Mark, you’re doing a great job and this is a great post! Why more people aren’t outraged at the way our health is treated in this country is beyond me.

]]> By: Dr. Incognito http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33623 Dr. Incognito Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:37:32 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33623 There are many positive aspects to free enterprise. Ethical decision-making taking a backseat to profits is nothing new. When such behavior is made public, it generates a great deal of anger and debate; as it should. Do we then change our entire system because of a few greedy men? No. Because the reality is just that, a few greedy men, which generate a great deal of press. The issue here as far as I'm concerned, is a society that appears to becoming increasingly dependant on the idea that a quick fix (a pill in this case) is and should be the standard mode of operation and thinking. This mindset will feed the fire of increase for disease processes such as CAD and diabetes. There are many positive aspects to free enterprise. Ethical decision-making taking a backseat to profits is nothing new. When such behavior is made public, it generates a great deal of anger and debate; as it should. Do we then change our entire system because of a few greedy men? No. Because the reality is just that, a few greedy men, which generate a great deal of press. The issue here as far as I’m concerned, is a society that appears to becoming increasingly dependant on the idea that a quick fix (a pill in this case) is and should be the standard mode of operation and thinking. This mindset will feed the fire of increase for disease processes such as CAD and diabetes.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33613 Jerry Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:46:34 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33613 Mark, I say keep up the good work. It's your blog, and so run it as you see fit and post what you like. We as the readers may not always agree with what you say or your decisions, but you are very fair with us when you don't share our opinions, so I feel you deserve the same courtesy in return. If someone doesn't like a particular topic that you post they don't have to read it, simple as that. Don't give in to these people that feel they speak for the rest of us though, because they don't. Mark, I say keep up the good work. It’s your blog, and so run it as you see fit and post what you like. We as the readers may not always agree with what you say or your decisions, but you are very fair with us when you don’t share our opinions, so I feel you deserve the same courtesy in return. If someone doesn’t like a particular topic that you post they don’t have to read it, simple as that. Don’t give in to these people that feel they speak for the rest of us though, because they don’t.

]]> By: Mark Sisson http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33609 Mark Sisson Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:35:58 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33609 Thanks all. I considered deleting John Kim's comment at first, but then thought "what the hell", I'll see what others think. I never wanted to get into a habit of censoring my readers' comments anyway...maybe that's what JK wanted? John, 1) It is my blog, so I feel that I can and should say whatever I believe is appropriate to my message. 2) My message here is one of education. Believe me, I am all for "free-thinking" - it's what this blog is mostly about (ironic that you should suggest otherwise), but it's tough for most people to think freely when the facts have been distorted by a broken system for so long. People think doctors have answers. They don't - they have opinions, and quite often, despite the best intentions, those opinions can do more harm than good. I am trying to help people make informed choices with regards to their health, their diet and fitness, etc. There's way too much assumption that the person in the white jacket has all the answers. 3) I am a huge fan of private enterprise. This blog is a hobby. I own a successful vitamin company that I started from nothing eleven years ago. One of the biggest hurdles I have is that I can't say much about the incredible power of certain well-researched supplements or else I get in trouble with the FDA. On the other hand, Pharma can say pretty much whatever they want and lead people (IMHO) down a very slippery slope). Sometimes I have to paint Pharma and the FDA as the bad guys. It's one thing to sell me a lemon used car and pocket huge $$ in the name of free enterprise. It's another to convince me I need something for my health and charge huge $$ for it when in fact it might well harm me. I'm sure most people who work in Pharma are great people and truly want to do good work...but the system breaks down on so many levels, the public needs to know. 4) I don't believe we have used the term "conspiracy theory" in over a thousand posts here except to deny that we truly believe there is any. I do appreciate that you dig the diet and exercise advice. There will be plenty more of that. Stay tuned. Thanks all. I considered deleting John Kim’s comment at first, but then thought “what the hell”, I’ll see what others think. I never wanted to get into a habit of censoring my readers’ comments anyway…maybe that’s what JK wanted?

John,

1) It is my blog, so I feel that I can and should say whatever I believe is appropriate to my message.
2) My message here is one of education. Believe me, I am all for “free-thinking” – it’s what this blog is mostly about (ironic that you should suggest otherwise), but it’s tough for most people to think freely when the facts have been distorted by a broken system for so long. People think doctors have answers. They don’t – they have opinions, and quite often, despite the best intentions, those opinions can do more harm than good. I am trying to help people make informed choices with regards to their health, their diet and fitness, etc. There’s way too much assumption that the person in the white jacket has all the answers.
3) I am a huge fan of private enterprise. This blog is a hobby. I own a successful vitamin company that I started from nothing eleven years ago. One of the biggest hurdles I have is that I can’t say much about the incredible power of certain well-researched supplements or else I get in trouble with the FDA. On the other hand, Pharma can say pretty much whatever they want and lead people (IMHO) down a very slippery slope). Sometimes I have to paint Pharma and the FDA as the bad guys. It’s one thing to sell me a lemon used car and pocket huge $$ in the name of free enterprise. It’s another to convince me I need something for my health and charge huge $$ for it when in fact it might well harm me. I’m sure most people who work in Pharma are great people and truly want to do good work…but the system breaks down on so many levels, the public needs to know.
4) I don’t believe we have used the term “conspiracy theory” in over a thousand posts here except to deny that we truly believe there is any.

I do appreciate that you dig the diet and exercise advice. There will be plenty more of that. Stay tuned.

]]> By: Stephan68 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33605 Stephan68 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:02:16 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33605 Kim's a troll. That North Korea comment is ridiculous. Keep up the great work, Mark! Kim’s a troll. That North Korea comment is ridiculous. Keep up the great work, Mark!

]]> By: adrejian http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33604 adrejian Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:00:12 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33604 Kim- What does politics have to do with it? Can you not be pro-capitalist, pro-corporation and still be of the mind that ethical marketing decisions should be made? The guy can't even take issue with questionable marketing tactics without being call a socialist. Give me a break. Oh, and he isn't the first one to voice complaints about the state of our health care industry. Mark's goal - to help educate people about how to lead a healthy life - seems genuine. Unfortunately, leading a healthy life to many in t he United States means popping the latest, greatest drug they've been taught they need. Mark is simply pointing this out and offering alternatives. A couple more quick points then I'll shut up... The post was published by a "Worker Bee". I'm sure Mark gives final approval, but he probably also didn't write it... and It's Mark's blog!!! He can say whatever he wants on it! Kim-

What does politics have to do with it?

Can you not be pro-capitalist, pro-corporation and still be of the mind that ethical marketing decisions should be made?

The guy can’t even take issue with questionable marketing tactics without being call a socialist. Give me a break.

Oh, and he isn’t the first one to voice complaints about the state of our health care industry.

Mark’s goal – to help educate people about how to lead a healthy life – seems genuine. Unfortunately, leading a healthy life to many in t he United States means popping the latest, greatest drug they’ve been taught they need. Mark is simply pointing this out and offering alternatives.

A couple more quick points then I’ll shut up…

The post was published by a “Worker Bee”. I’m sure Mark gives final approval, but he probably also didn’t write it…

and

It’s Mark’s blog!!! He can say whatever he wants on it!

]]> By: BobTR http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33601 BobTR Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:49:43 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33601 Wow, Kim. You are way off base! I've been following Mark's site for some time now. He does a great service to his readers by showing the other side to many arguments. Someone needs to be a watchdog and shed some light on the marketing tactics of big business - from fast food to Big Pharma. Your anti-capitalism comment is way off base as well... you may have noticed the link to "Mark's Store" at the top of the page... Chainey- What conspiracy theories are you referring to? I've never seen any on Mark's Daily Apple. I've never gotten the impression that Mark is suggesting people are holding others down and shoving drugs down their throat. Mark has always been about personal responsibility. But part of being responsible is making informed decisions. Key word being informed. Without people like Mark it can sometimes be difficult to get all sides of the story. Wow, Kim. You are way off base! I’ve been following Mark’s site for some time now. He does a great service to his readers by showing the other side to many arguments. Someone needs to be a watchdog and shed some light on the marketing tactics of big business – from fast food to Big Pharma. Your anti-capitalism comment is way off base as well… you may have noticed the link to “Mark’s Store” at the top of the page…

Chainey- What conspiracy theories are you referring to? I’ve never seen any on Mark’s Daily Apple. I’ve never gotten the impression that Mark is suggesting people are holding others down and shoving drugs down their throat. Mark has always been about personal responsibility. But part of being responsible is making informed decisions. Key word being informed. Without people like Mark it can sometimes be difficult to get all sides of the story.

]]> By: chainey http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33574 chainey Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:40:39 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33574 I wouldn't go quite as far as Mr Kim, but I kind of see where he's coming from. Over on the right-hand side of your page you have categories like "Big Pharma", "Big Moo", etc. It's kind of annoying. Big companies hire big numbers of people, have big research budgets and create big economic activity, all of which makes the USA the Big Top Dog. I agree with scrutiny on techniques and tactics - it's the marketing people that need to be reined in. But lets leave the Big Conspiracy theories behind. No one holds people down and shoves drugs down their throats. Many people around the world have had their lives and their quality of life saved by "Big Pharma" who spent Big Money on research and development and (surprise, surprise) expected a financial return. By all means knock the excesses, but please dispense with the sneering "little guy against the giant corporation" tone. I wouldn’t go quite as far as Mr Kim, but I kind of see where he’s coming from. Over on the right-hand side of your page you have categories like “Big Pharma”, “Big Moo”, etc. It’s kind of annoying. Big companies hire big numbers of people, have big research budgets and create big economic activity, all of which makes the USA the Big Top Dog.

I agree with scrutiny on techniques and tactics – it’s the marketing people that need to be reined in. But lets leave the Big Conspiracy theories behind. No one holds people down and shoves drugs down their throats.

Many people around the world have had their lives and their quality of life saved by “Big Pharma” who spent Big Money on research and development and (surprise, surprise) expected a financial return.

By all means knock the excesses, but please dispense with the sneering “little guy against the giant corporation” tone.

]]> By: John Kim http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33561 John Kim Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:47:26 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/big-pharma-marketing/#comment-33561 Sisson, Your leftist politics are a pain in the but. Your site has valuable nutritional info but your pro-socialist, pro-nanny-state, pro-welfare-state crap is tiring. I get that you hate capitalism and those "eviiiil corporations", but not everyone is so ignorant. Stick to food and training and ditch the politics. Either that or move to North Korea. They have a nice little government that deals effectively with all those corporations and free-thinking individuals. Maybe you'd like it there. Sisson,

Your leftist politics are a pain in the but. Your site has valuable nutritional info but your pro-socialist, pro-nanny-state, pro-welfare-state crap is tiring. I get that you hate capitalism and those “eviiiil corporations”, but not everyone is so ignorant. Stick to food and training and ditch the politics. Either that or move to North Korea. They have a nice little government that deals effectively with all those corporations and free-thinking individuals. Maybe you’d like it there.

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