Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health

Hi! This book is well written, well researched and VERY informative. Just because a doctor prescribes something to treat your illness doesn't mean it's good for you or that their answer is the only answer to your treatment. In fact, the side effects could be far more harmful. This book needs to be in your home library, so you can research your meds before you have the prescription filled. Better yet, before you visit your doctor. Best, Christine

Must have for the home library. I use mine all the time at work (I am an RN in a VA hospital), but the first drugs I looked up were the ones my mom and dad were taking. I have seen drug reactions in my practice and effects from mixing too many chemical combinations together. The facts about how a particular drug interacts with the body is important knowledge to have before deciding to use the drug. The other piece of information is to remember that all institutions have some unscrupulous individuals in positions of authority. This is true whether discussing Government, the Church, the Oil Industry or the Drug Industry. As mundane as it seems, diet, exercise and positive attitude remain the most inportant factors in remaining healthy and fighting disease.

But which doctors are these? Unfortunately, it turns out in many cases, these four doctors also happen to be on said product's payroll. Even when conflict of interest is not quite so clear cut, specific and serious problems exist in the way drugs reach the U.S. public. Doug Bremner provides a frightening indictment of a broken system. Chapter one provides a quick overview of the scope of the problem, placing it in an historic perspective. It describes how we have arrived at the current drug approval methods and the troublesomely cozy relationship between corporations and regulators. It briefly discusses the impact of profit driven drug development, and aggressive marketing. Although first chapter has no end-notes (following chapters do), it does reference a number of books and of investigative journalism articles. Wonderfully written in clear non-technical language and organized by diagnosed condition, the remaining invaluable chapters provide detailed examples of the results of this broken system. In his introduction, Dr. Bremner states that this book is not a reference. In that it is not an exhaustive listing of all current drugs and their side effects that is true. However: being so cleanly organized well indexed, and providing many specifically justified recommendations, Before You Take that Pill should be an important home reference for U.S. health care consumers. A final critical note: it is both stated by the author and clear throughout that the book is not intended as anti-pharmaceutical. It is rather, to provide consumers with the information needed to make more fully informed decisions as to the risks and benefits of certain treatment options.

This book is a must read! Doug Bremner has researched and applied an unbiased, fact based approach to the many questions we as consumers have with the drug mania around us today. His writing technique is witty and spellbinding! I will think twice for myself, as well as for my family and friends, about accepting prescribed drugs BEFORE exploring possible harmful adverse effects and most importantly healthy alternative options!

This is right on time, with all the toxic drugs that don't work well today. Should be required reading for all medical, nursing & pharmacy students. Highly recommeded ! Charles Whitfield MD, author, The Truth about Mental Illness