Why you should never trust 'doctor's orders'
Sometimes, it might seem like your doctor is relying on years of education and experience.
Other times, you might be convinced he's making it up as he goes.
In reality, most doctors follow the guidelines issued by the major medical associations -- and that means some of the biggest decisions he makes about you and your health are based on badly biased information.
Treatment guidelines are routinely written by "experts" with a direct financial stake in the outcome -- and now, a new study finds a massive chain of conflicts in the guidelines written for diabetes treatments and cholesterol control.
Since these just so happen to be two of the most medicated (not to mention over-medicated) conditions in the country, is anyone really surprised?
There have been 288 "experts" on the 14 cholesterol and diabetes panels that have met in the United States and Canada over the past decade, and researchers say 52 percent of them had conflicts of interest such as financial ties to the drug industry.
Even worse, they found those conflicts among 11 percent of the panelists who claimed they were free and clear.
Whoops. Busted!
And of course, you can't really stack a deck without putting some of your best cards on top -- so half of all chairs of the guideline-writing committees had conflicts.
The panels were convened by organizations including private ones like the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association as well as government groups such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
But when you break it down, only 16 percent of the members of government-sponsored panels had conflicts, versus 69 percent of those convened by nongovernmental groups.
What's more, five of the groups in the study didn't even require conflict disclosures -- and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force won't reveal its own without a Freedom of Information Act request.
That's one of those things that make it look like you're hiding something... even if you're not.
This isn't limited to cholesterol and diabetes panels -- not by a longshot.
Earlier this year, researchers examined 17 critical guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology that were issued between 2003 and 2008, and found that 56 percent of the 498 people who helped write them had conflicts of interest... including 81 percent of those who led the groups.
Put it all together, and it's pretty clear why you can't leave your doctor's office without yet another prescription: The deck was stacked against you long before you even walked through the door.
Related articles of interest
Reducing drug industry influence at the FDA
Deep Pockets of Big Pharma Driving Drug Data
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Could Doctor’s “Misbehavior” Be Putting Your Life at Risk?
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Edward Martin writes House Calls, a daily letter chronicling the most cutting-edge alternative methods for beating diabetes and cancer, to the latest FDA foul-ups and Big Pharma conspiracies.
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Comments
Shirley Gekler
Thank you for your forthright message. It is strange how many people just would not believe what you have written, just accepting the prescription as written. They just don't understand how business is run.
On the other hand, I have always been the one to ask WHY. WHY is that the answer, HOW did you come to that conclusion. Those questions do not make you popular with teachers, but a little older and wiser I am still asking WHY.
My medical doctor knows that I prefer to be PRO-ACTIVE and supports my decision. He accepts the fact that I use supplementation and I get the feeling that in his heart he is saying good for you. My medical file is quite thin and my medication list is very short.
On a recent visit after examining the lab report numbers, he stated, your still taking your supplements. OH YES
Fifteen years ago, my eye doctor suggested I use a particular type of supplement to support the blood vessels. -- Off to the library I went and did my own research and then selected the product after understanding how their product was produced. Their product was not a by-product of another industry.
I found that this same product would help me in other ways as well i.e. it would help control allergies and help with blood circulation, in time I found that the product did help in both ways.
As the years passed, I developed cataracts, both of which have been surgically removed and recently I underwent the final examination by the surgeon which included taking a look at the blood vessels at the back of the eye. He seemed very surprised that all looked well. I believe the supplements made the difference. I believe being proactive made the day.
Thank you for listening
Mike Securo
My endocronologist recently retired and turned me over to a new doctor. During my first visit with him, he asked me a bunch of questions and wrote a lot of notes. At the end of the visit he said that he was going to increase my Lantis by 5mg. I found this to be pretty amusing at the time because he didn't have my latest bloodwork available. So how could he prescribe an increase in Lantis when he had no idea what my levels were! After thinking about it I figured that 5mg either way wouldn't do any good or damage so it was a safe prescription change. But why did he do it? Because they are taught to PRESCRIBE DRUGS. That's what they do. Haven't you noticed that it is almost impossible to leave a doctor's office without them prescribing something...even if it isn't the right thing to do. I believe that says it all.
Steve SUP
This really riles me and is a subject I am passionate about. Instead of making and approving drugs which are the most beneficial to the vast majority - big pharma lets the almighty dollar dictate there every move - even to the detriment of the general populations good health.
The FDA, who are in bed with Big Pharma even released a press release last year saying that taking acid reflux medications for any longer than 12 months could lead to brittle bones. How many doctors prescribe acid reflux medication (PPI's) year after year. Unbelievable.
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