The pharmaceutical industry is a profitable economic sector. In effect, the sale of prescription and non-prescription drugs continues to increase. With the creation of new needs, influential marketing and commercial relationships between healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies, consumers are no longer able to unravel the true and the false.
Not to mention the various controversies over generic drugs, the dangerous side effects and the price of drugs that intensify this confusion. It is for this reason that we have seen an upsurge in self-medication.
The study on the dangers of self-medication
Self-medication refers to a patient's use of one or more over-the-counter medications. However, this behavior can be dangerous because patients mix several drugs and because some drugs combine several molecules that can cause serious conditions.
As the survey conducted by the magazine 60 million consumers shows, some over-the-counter medications are putting patients at greater risk than they are treating them. Of 62 drugs analyzed by Professor Jean-Paul Giroud, a recognized clinical pharmacologist, and Hélène Berthelot, pharmacist, only 13 non-prescription drugs have a relationship between benefit and risk on favorable health. As for other drugs, 21 have low or unproven efficacy and 28 are hazardous to health. In the blacklist they have established, the main drugs involved are:
Anti-colds because they have a mixture of vasoconstrictor to fight against stuffy nose, antihistamine against runny nose and paracetamol or ibuprofen against headache. This cocktail causes an overdose and serious side effects such as cardiovascular events, neurological or vertigo.
Antitussives because they contain more sugar than active ingredients and may contain ibuprofen, which is dangerous for pregnant women. In addition, some cough syrups may impair driving ability.
Sore throat medicines and intestinal disorders because they are also sources of sugars rather than active substances necessary for the treatment of symptoms and pathology.
To further illustrate the deceit that resides around some of these drugs, they also point to the price difference between reimbursable and non-refundable drugs; which are nevertheless identical. Indeed, when a drug is over-the-counter, its price increases on average by 43%.
Therefore, it is better to turn to natural and economic alternatives that preserve your health!
Natural alternatives to drugs
1. Honey
To strengthen immunity and disinfect wounds, or relieve a sore throat, opt for honey. Its richness in vitamins and minerals gives it antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
2. Olive oil
Effective against eczema and hair loss, olive oil lowers blood pressure and regulates cholesterol through its antioxidant and monounsaturated fat content.
3. The lemon
Recognized for its many virtues, lemon promotes the proper functioning of the digestive system, alkalizes the body and also fights against inflammation. Source of vitamin C, it is a healthy ally everyday.
4. Le cumin
Source de flavonoïdes, de vitamines B et de minéraux, le cumin permet de lutter contre de nombreuses affections au vu de ses propriétés carminatives, antiseptique et antispasmodique. Il est excellent pour lutter contre les coliques et maux de ventre.
5. Le gingembre
Utilisé depuis bien longtemps, le gingembre permet de soulager diverses douleurs grâce à son action anti-inflammatoire, anti-nausées et antioxydantes. Il est particulièrement efficace pour les douleurs liées à l’arthrite et aux rhumatismes.