from British Medical Journal

(I posted this in answer to another message, but i think it deserves it's own topic; so, taking the risk of being considered repetitive, i'm posting it again)

Regarding "conspiracy theories" and "accusing the medical/pharm industry", here's a quote from as mainstream a source as you can get; and a professionals' one at that. Namely, from British Medical Journal. Emphasis mine.

Pharmaceutical companies are actively involved in sponsoring the definition of diseases and promoting them to both prescribers and consumers. The social construction of illness is being replaced by the corporate construction of disease.

Although some sponsored professionals or consumers may act independently and all concerned may have honourable motives, in many cases the formula is the same: groups and/or campaigns are orchestrated, funded, and facilitated by corporate interests, often via their public relations and marketing infrastructure. A key strategy of the alliances is to target the news media with stories designed to create fears about the condition or disease and draw attention to the latest treatment. Company sponsored advisory boards supply the ‘independent experts’ for these stories, consumer groups provide the ‘victims’ and public relations companies provide media outlets with the positive spin about the latest ‘breakthrough’ medications.

We know little of the true extent of these industry funded zones of influence, and even less of their impact. But we believe more information and analysis of the nature and functioning of these "unholy alliances" is warranted.

'Selling Sickness: the pharmaceutical industry and disease-mongering'
Ray Moynihan, Iona Heath, David Henry
British Medical Journal, 13th April 2002

complete article here

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