Thinkstock
I have started to count the number of drug-related television commercials, and have come to the conclusion that we Americans are the biggest hypochondriacs in the First World. In spite of being the leading power in the West, we seem to be the sickest (at least in our minds). A significant percentage of television commercials deal with some affliction, from toenail fungus to bad breath to blood thinners to erectile dysfunction.
Most of these medications need to be issued by prescription, so I wonder how a patient feels he can demand a prescription from his physician. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around, where the doctor prescribes the medication? Big Pharma has brainwashed America and turned it into a self-prescribing cult.
I wonder how Molière would have written his satirical play “Le Malade imaginaire” had he lived in the U.S.A.
Jean-Pierre A. Maldonado, Lafayette
This letter was published in the Dec. 23 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
