Who benefits from a healthy nation?

[Soroush Ebrahimi]

From: Jane Parkin Via Soroush

Who benefits from a healthy nation?
No-one. That's the conclusion of Professor Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics, who was in London last month (see www.foodpolitics.com ). 'I was the only speaker at the American Diabetic Association's conference talking about food' she said. It's drugs all the way. 'Every single piece is funded by the food industry', she said in relation to dietetic conferences she attends.
Last month the UK's biggest drug firm GSK pleaded guilty to criminal charges relating to anti-depressant and diabetes drug frauds and agreed to pay $3 billion. That brings total fines in the US against big pharma to almost $14 billion!
These fines relate to hiding clinical data on side-effects and illegal marketing activities such as persuading doctors to prescribe drugs 'off label' for conditions they are not licensed to treat and bribes. Worse than that, GSK sat on evidence that their diabetes drug Avandia was increasing heart attacks. Mr Witty, GSK's Chief Executive said, 'We've learned from out mistakes'. Several thousands of people have probably died as a consequence. Why can companies pay a fine and walk away scott-free? In any other circumstance, someone would be behind bars if they knowingly allowed thousands of people to die unnecessarily in the interests of making more profit.
What I find truly extraordinary is that here in the UK exactly the same illegal, immoral and harmful shenanigans are going on every day of the week yet our drug protection agency, the MHRA, and the European equivalent, the EMA, does nothing. Here we are in a recession, services and jobs being cut, belts being tightened and meanwhile companies like GSK are making mega profits. As a result of this $3 billion fine announcement GSK share price went up!
Anyone in their right mind knows that it's sugar that's driving diabetes, not a deficiency of new drugs. The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, took the bold step of banning large size fizzy drinks. Who needs them? He ran ads saying these 'double gulp' portions are 26 teaspoons of sugar! He was one of the first to talk about a tax on sugared drinks. Will Boris in London follow suit? Or are we dependent on these companies funding the Olympics, giving completely the wrong message?
The sugar industry are fighting back. As Professor Nestle says, first they attack the science. The UK's Sugar Bureau has been renamed Sugar Nutrition UK. It's website says: "The old idea that sugar causes diabetes was dismissed as long ago as 1989 by the UK Government's COMA Committee…despite diabetes being a condition of blood glucose regulation, specific restriction of sugars is not necessary.”
Then, she says, they attack the advocates. Then they set up grassroot campaigns talking about 'nanny states' and 'freedom of choice' to create the impression that people should be free to choose to kill themselves with too many calories. As more states in the US take up the challenge to tax sugary drinks Pepsi alone spent 29 million dollars in one year lobbying against a sugar tax.
Imagine what we could do with $3 billion! If any food with more than 10% of calories as sugar was taxed, just like alcohol and cigarettes, and a warning put on the label, that would be another source of revenue to fuel a health revolution. As a starter you could give everyone free vitamin C instead of statins! Just think how many less sick days and increased productivity that would deliver, on top of lowering blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
The medical profession should be politically active against high sugar, high fat diets, not just sitting back and dishing out drugs. The dietetic profession needs to stop being soft on sugar and accepting sponsorship from the food industry.
Why is the UK government so chicken on health policy? With a million employees in the NHS no politician wants to touch this sacred, and very expensive cow. What would it take to turn the corner and turn this fastest growing failing national disease service, into a real beacon of light, a real national health service, with prevention at the core? We need to fight back against the industries that are making us fat and keeping us sick.
It's our investments in drug companies, both through investment funds and our taxes, and acceptance of their products, that keeps the wheels turning. Think twice before you take a drug, especially a new one. The long-term risks often outweigh the short-term benefits.
Wishing you the best of health,
Patrick Holford