THE WORLD WE STAND FOR

 
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We believe individuals and doctors should have right to freedom in the medical system

We believe big companies and the government should not have control over our health

We believe there is hope for a society free from medical corruption

We believe in educating individuals to take control of their own life and well-being 

We believe in leading with kindness  

 

WE BELIEVE

  • Regulators must encourage competition, i.e., small enterprises promoting market equality over big pharma.

The top 6 companies in the medical industry include: Johnson & Johnson ($276 billion market value), Novartis ($273 billion), Pfizer ($212 billion), Merck ($164 billion), GlaxoSmithKline ($103 billion), and  Eli Lilly ($98 billion). These companies control the pharmaceutical industry, and with the billions of dollars spent on lobbying and governmental campaign contributions, this becomes “big pharma.” Smaller businesses then do not have the financial or influential power to produce brand-name drugs like these big pharmaceutical companies, which leaves these top companies to continue to increase drug prices. Since the cost of active ingredients found in most prescription drugs are so minuscule, big pharmaceutical companies can increase the costs of these drugs, ranging anywhere from 1,000%-469,000%, leaving individuals with outrageous drug prices. 

  • Vitamin and food companies must be able to place claims with proven health benefits on their products.

The Food and Drug Administration, known as the FDA, states that, “All health claims, whether authorized or qualified, require pre-market review by the FDA. Under federal law, the FDA approves by regulation authorized health claims for use in food labeling only if the substance/disease relationship described by the health claim meets the "significant scientific agreement" standard.” However, the “significant scientific agreement” standard used by the FDA only has one interest in mind: their own. Regardless of food companies’ research and data used to make health food claims on their labeling, the FDA disregards the evidence and dwindles the rights of food companies to add proven health benefits of their products. Vitamin and food companies that have researched health benefits of their products are no longer allowed to add any kind of medical benefits on the labeling of their products. Instead, companies are allowed to place more descriptions of their product and claims on their website, but they must also include a statement claiming their product is not intended to treat or cure diseases. 

  • Pharmaceutical companies’ harm due to their medical monopoly must be acknowledged.

Thousands of Americans die each year due to the outrageous costs of drugs in the U.S..  Many deaths caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart problems could be prevented with the proper treatment and use of medication. Cancer.org estimated an astounding 1.7 million new cancer cases in 2019 and 1.8 million new cases in 2020. Furthermore, in 2014, a whopping $4 billion was spent by cancer patients for out-of-pocket treatments, and about $87.8 billion was spent by the U.S. on cancer treatments. And, due to the extreme costs of treatments, a study in 2013 performed by The Oncologist states that, “Among 254 participants….20% took less than the prescribed amount of medication, 19% partially filled prescriptions, and 24% avoided filling prescriptions altogether.” Similarly, according to the CDC as of 2018, 30.3 million adults have been diagnosed with heart disease, with just over 647,000 deaths per year.Keeping these numbers in mind, cancer drugs can cost up to $100,000 per year for treatment, while injections for heart diseases cost upwards of $14,000. These costs resulting in deaths could be significantly reduced with lower-costing drugs and treatments. However, with the current corruption in place, the healthcare system is responsible for these preventable deaths. 

  • Doctors must complete more training on diet and fitness rather than pharmacology.

Most doctors with a medical license do not discuss or prescribe patients with natural alternatives to medicine. Instead, a prescription is given without discovering the root cause of the body’s problem. Patients must see a naturopathic doctor or alternative medical doctor to have other options available to them to determine the root causes of their problems. The issue with medical doctors and natural alternatives lie in pharmaceutical companies. These big companies influence doctors and even pay for things such as trips, food and drink, and honoraria, totalling $416.8 million dollars every 6 months . This relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies discredits and disregards alternative treatments of medicine and does not allow other options to be easily found or promoted. 

  • Pharmocracy’s influence in the media must decrease. 

Pharmaceutical companies spend nineteen times more on marketing and advertising than they do on research and clinical trials. Even though millions of dollars are spent on research and data for new drugs on the market, those numbers are microscopic compared to the $4.53 billion spent on marketing in 2014. Anyone who watches a television show nowadays will most likely see a commercial for a new drug that has just hit the market. Big pharmaceutical companies who pay for these advertisements know that consumers who watch these commercials can easily go to their doctor and ask for a prescription for these new drugs. In a survey, direct-to-consumer advertising had accounted for nearly one-third of all drug information asked by patients to doctors, and one-quarter of those patients asked for the drug directly. This, in turn, raises pharmaceutical sales through the number of individuals taking that drug. 

One of the biggest contributors in the media is the Gates Foundation, which has spent over $250 million on journalism alone. News stations including NPR, BBC, NBC, The Texas Tribune, ProPublica, National Journal, and the Financial Times are just a few of the countless news stations Bill Gates has donated to. Columbia Journalism Review states, “Twenty years ago, journalists scrutinized Bill Gates’s initial foray into philanthropy as a vehicle to enrich his software company, or a PR exercise to salvage his battered reputation following Microsoft’s bruising antitrust battle with the Department of Justice.” Now, times have completely changed. People are even looking to Bill Gates on his “COVID expertise” even though he has no medical training. USA Today and Politifact, supposed fact-checking platforms, are under the Poynter Institute and Gannett. These companies have received funds from the Gates Institute and have even defended Gates against “conspiracy theories.” This is most likely due to the Gates Institute having investments in companies that will develop a COVID vaccine or therapy.  

  • Clinical trial data must be completely disclosed.

The U.S. has asked companies and institutions to include their data for trials in federal databases for over twenty years. However, many companies, big pharma included, hide results for quick drug approval while suffering no consequences. In 2018, a final rule was passed with the expectations discussed by the NIH and FDA for disclosure of all trial data (FDAAA 2007), however, many problems still occur with companies and institutions not meeting required deadlines. According to Science Magazine, “... sponsors, typically either the institution conducting a trial or its funder, must deposit results and other data within 1 year of completing a trial. But of 184 sponsor organizations with at least five trials due as of 25 September 2019, 30 companies, universities, or medical centers never met a single deadline. As of that date, those habitual violators had failed to report any results for 67% of their trials and averaged 268 days late for those and all trials that missed their deadlines.” Furthermore, 31.7% of clinical trials reports are not shared, and 23.7% are reported late. The government could have imposed fines of almost $11.5 billion dollars on these companies and institutions, but has claimed $0. Clearly, the government is not holding these companies responsible for their late or missing results. 

The Union of Concerned Scientists conducted a survey with FDA scientists and said, “Of the 997 FDA scientists who responded to the survey, nearly one-fifth (18.4 percent) said that they ‘have been asked, for non-scientific reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or their conclusions in a FDA scientific document.’ ” Within the respondents, 40% feared retaliation for reporting findings to the public, and one-third feared they could not even share concerns within the agency itself. In 1992, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) was passed by Congress to impose charges on new drug applications. With these fees, the FDA was able to hire more employees and promised new drug application approval in 12 months for standard drugs and 6 months for rapid drugs. However, the biopharmaceutical industry paid 75% of the FDA’s review budget in 2017, which means the FDA will bend over backwards and accommodate those in the industry.

  • Naturopathic Doctors (NMD) must be state recognized and be able to complete a preceptorship, i.e., an internship or residency, within the medical system.   

According to Medium.com in 2017, only 20 states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, offer license or registration laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopaths must attend a four-year naturopathic medical school and pass a postdoctoral examination to earn their license. Currently, 25 states now have laws regarding naturopathic doctors, with many other states pending legislation. Therefore, the increase in states passing laws for naturopathic doctors has increased over the past 3 years and will continue in the near future. The demand for naturopathic doctors has significantly increased over the past 10 years due to a need for answers to health problems and the lack of primary care physicians in the U.S.. In California alone, the overall average ratio of primary care physicians to the general population in 2017 was 1,260:1. Since many naturopathic doctors do not prescribe medication or have pressure from big pharmaceutical companies, they do not have to follow the same guidelines that allopathic doctors do. Furthermore, since pharmaceutical companies do not profit from naturopaths prescribing or recommending drugs, they have a harder time gaining recognition and changing legislation in the U.S.. Laws passed for naturopaths can aid these doctors in giving the highest quality of medical care to patients. 

  • Protection against distribution and dispense must be repealed for compounding pharmacies. 

A compounding pharmacy is one that uniquely combines ingredients to meet the individual needs of a patient that is not available with regular medication. Compounding pharmacies are essential for many people with allergies, those who cannot take tablets or pills, and those who require special alterations for their medical needs. The Drug Quality and Security Act was enacted in 2013 and gave compounding pharmacies, both small and large, stricter rules regarding regulation. This was due to the New England Compounding Pharmacy’s negligence and responsibility for the death of 64 people and 800 sick. The FDA, however, has overstepped their boundaries and has redefined the terms “distribution” and included the word “dispensing” for compounded medications. Many states who did not sign a memorandum acknowledging the new terms had their distribution cap at 5% for out-of-state distribution. Some people with unique medical needs require certain compounded drugs that are not available in their state. The distribution cap by the FDA does not allow compounding pharmacies to completely perform their job for people with unique needs. Therefore, protection must be put in place so that these compounding pharmacies are not controlled or overthrown by the FDA.

  • Protections for traditional therapies (e.g., homeopathics, botanicals, vitamins).

As noted in previous paragraphs, the FDA has tried to control many food companies with health claims that are scientifically proven. In the same way, the FDA has regulated some vitamins in the past, but over the last 10 years there has been less regulation with vitamins. Currently, vitamins do not have to go through the FDA's approval before they are put on the market. The current claim on the FDA's website says, “Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or alleviate the effects of diseases. They cannot completely prevent diseases, as some vaccines can. However, some supplements are useful in reducing the risk of certain diseases and are authorized to make label claims about these uses. For example, folic acid supplements may make a claim about reducing the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.” However, in 2001, the FDA wanted to ban a claim from the American Preventive Medical Association and Pure Encapsulations Inc. that stated, “ ‘800 mcg of folic acid is more effective in reducing the risk of neural tube defects than a lower amount in foods in common 

form.’ ” This claim was proven scientifically accurate, but the FDA decided to take it to court. However, the FDA lost due to the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution does not allow the FDA to have any power over health claims unless there is valid evidence against the claims being misleading. Even though traditional therapies have gained more power in the past few years, the FDA still tries to control and regulate these therapies. Therefore, protection must be put in place for these therapies to be used by consumers without governmental backlash. 

  • Communications refuges, i.e., places to debate science, must be established for discussions of alternatives to the medical system in place. 

With the current medical system in place, scientists and everyday consumers do not have the ability to speak their opinions about drugs and medical data that is ignored or manipulated.  A study done by Science Magazine found that, “An analysis of pharma payments to 107 physicians, who advised the FDA on 28 drugs approved from 2008 to 2014, found that a majority later got money for travel or consulting, or received research subsidies from the makers of the drugs on which they voted or from competing firms.” Compensations are also given to advisors years after drug approval, including money, trips, power, and prestige, as a postponed reward. Furthermore, Science Magazine found that, “Eleven physicians acknowledged support from competing companies on one or more drugs they reviewed. Five of those also received such funding from the makers of one or more of the drugs. Yet FDA publicly noted none of those apparent conflicts and issued no conflict waivers.” Clearly, there's a conflict of interest between the FDA and  pharmaceutical companies that are approving new drugs. Regardless of the scientific data presented, those with political influence and power can pass an advocacy for new drugs with no consequences. A system must be put in place for scientists and consumers to express their concerns and have the science speak for itself.

  • Medical schools and research departments must disclose conflicts of interest in their programs from investors. 

The two main sources that fund research are big corporations and the government. About 60% of research is carried out by industry, 20% by universities, and 10% by the government. Research America also says that the industry funded 64.7% of research and the government funded 22.6% in 2015. Industries, including pharmaceutical, medical technological, bio technological, and others, increased their funding by 9.4% between 2013-2014. The National Institute of Health currently spends about $41.7 billion annually for research funding, and about 10% is used in their own laboratories. Even though the government spends billions of dollars to fund research, they are only responsible for a small percentage of conducting research themselves. A study conducted in 2003-2004 by NPR stated that 2-16% of all research is funded by drug companies. Furthermore, Dr. Werner, vice president of research at the University of Oklahoma health scientist center said, “...some faculty members do feel pressure to keep their funders happy. So-called "clinical faculty" are doctors who have busy practices and see a lot of patients. But they can't engage in research full-time like research faculty can. They want to continue to participate in research, so they seek out and accept offers of funding from drug companies for studies, speeches and other services.” Additionally, Lisa Bero, a researcher at the University of California San Francisco said in NPR's article, “ ‘The problem is that faculty, particularly the kind of faculty we're talking about here, don't have tenure...they don't have security of employment. They're in a more junior position, which is very vulnerable to influence from their department chair. It's very tenuous.’” As noted, researchers do feel pressure from big companies and  the government to publish and find “correct” results. More disclosure should be available from universities and research facilities on grants and research.

  • News organizations must disclose financial gains received from special interest groups.

Between most television commercial breaks, an advertisement for a new drug will be presented. Advertisements for drugs are a billion dollar industry, and pharmaceutical advertising has increased by 62% since 2012. Also, the amount spent on pharmaceutical advertising is projected to be $610 billion by 2021, and 9 out of 10 big pharmaceutical companies spend more on advertising than they do on research and development.  Broadcasting networks are then able to accumulate large sums of money from these big pharmaceutical companies for advertising new drugs. An article from the Periscope Group also says, “Public figure and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. once shared that, ‘I ate breakfast last week with the president of a network news division and he told me that during non-election years, 70% of the advertising revenues for his news division come from pharmaceutical ads.’” Furthermore, a 2009 study by Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting found that all news outlets in the United States, with the exception of CBS, shares at least one board member with one drug company. This conflict of interest is not advocating for the American people. News outlets, therefore, do not produce many, or any, stories about drug reactions or recalls. Transparency between news corporations and big pharmaceutical companies need to be fully disclosed to prevent the American people from any harmful drugs or misinformation that the media provides.

  • Research institutions must support multi-therapy approaches, i.e., one drug does not fit all. 

According to the National Institution of Health, only $115,586 was spent towards the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and a total of $447,671 on what they call “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Funding.” Compared to the $40.7 billion that is spent annually by the NIH, only .001% is used for alternative medicine. However, the American people seem to be more inclined towards these alternative medical approaches due to the $30.2 billion out-of-pocket annual spending. Even though this number only accounts for 9.2% of out-of-pocket healthcare spending, the funding available for alternative medical research does not give Americans the proper opportunity to learn and try more alternative approaches to medicine. The idea of “one drug” or “one therapy” is over. The idea that one medicine fits all does not account for a person’s individual needs and well-being. 

  •  Individuals have the right to know the source of drug importation.

The FDA currently states,“In most circumstances, it is illegal for individuals to import drugs into the U.S. for personal use because the medicine has often not been approved by FDA for use in the U.S.” However, in 2019, the top sources of legal pharmaceutical imports by the kilogram were from China (101,950,825 kg), then India (97,847,782 kg), then Mexico (85,409,777 kg). However, the value of those imports, meaning the profit that is made off these drug monopolies, is highest in Ireland and very low in China. Investopedia says, “Ireland offers considerably low tax rates and corporate benefits which have allowed it to become the destination of choice for many global pharma companies. Though recent attempts by U.S.-based Pfizer Inc. (PFE) to partner with Irish counterpart to benefit from lower taxes were blocked by the authorities, others like Allergan PLC (AGN), Medtronic PLC (MDT), and Shire PLC (SHPG) have managed to move base to Ireland and reap the benefits.” Therefore, many pharmaceutical companies try to reap the benefits from these places of importation, which leads to the high marketing profits. Contrary to popular belief, only about 25% of pharmaceutical drugs used in the U.S. are imported, with the remaining 75% spent on locally made products. If 75% of drugs used in the U.S. are being produced locally, this could account for the drug monopolies occurring in the U.S. today. Citizens should have the option for importation, since the FDA and big pharma companies do not have the best interest of the American people. 

  • Insurance must be made available for all alternative medicine.

In 2000, the The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (WHCCAMP) was created to discuss options and issues regarding complementary and alternative medicine. Meetings for this commission took place over a span of 2 years and examined many topics, with one of those being coverage for alternative medicine. Insurance for alternative medicine was not established since there was not enough evidence to support complementary medicine’s medical effectiveness. Currently in the U.S., evidence for conventional medicine overrules the small research conducted here that has taken place for complementary and alternative medicine. However, in almost every other part of the world, complementary and alternative medicine is used and gladly accepted. Many doctors that work overseas and come to America have tried implementing alternative medicine into America’s current system with little to no success overall. No model has been established or put in place to combine complementary and conventional medicine in the U.S. Conventional medicine focuses more on a patient’s response to “treatment,” whereas complementary medicine includes criteria regarding aspects such as quality of life, longevity, mood, and pain. Therefore, these different medical practices regard different aspects of success and are held to different standards. With these different standards, many insurance companies believe that alternative medicine is not deemed “necessary” as stated by Envita, “Insurers and HMO's rely greatly on medical necessity criteria to define the extent of a benefit, manage the use of it, and make claims payment decisions. As stated by the Commission, these criteria are also used to control use of and spending on health care services, determine cost estimates on which premiums are based, and ‘maintain the financial soundness of the insurance and managed care industries.’” While this sounds reasonable in theory, alternative medicine for some people is a medical necessity, especially when conventional medicine and drugs cannot solve the underlying cause or problem of patients. Each body is different and created uniquely, therefore insurance for alternative medicine should be made available to suit the needs of each individual. 

  • The government must create robust supply chains. A manufacturing capacity needs to be established to protect national interests and the welfare of citizens.

Pharmaceutical ingredients that are used to make drugs can be found all over the world. And, while the U.S. locally produces 75% of its drugs, the ingredients used to make these drugs are not all found in the U.S.. According to C&EN, the U.S. is responsible for supplying 28% of its pharmaceutical ingredients, with plants also registered in the European Union (26%), Canada (2%), China (13%), India (18%), and the rest of the world making up 13%. With ever-changing times, especially in light of COVID-19, it is essential that the government create a robust supply chain to ensure America’s national security. Relying on one specific area for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) does not allow the safety and guarantee of essential medicines. Furthermore, a robust supply chain would safeguard against any political or economical issues that rise. Key Software Systems says, “If pharmaceutical companies have only one supplier for a certain product, a closure or a major delay could cause delays in other operations that rely on that supply...Medication recalls are on the rise today. For example, Zantac was recently recalled after a probable carcinogen was discovered in it...However, a few suppliers still sold the over-the-counter acid reducer for a while. In some cases, tainted ingredients or other impurities that lead to recalls are discovered in one or two suppliers' 

ingredients.” Having companies follow strict compliance guidelines and choosing manufacturers in different areas would prevent many recalls and shortages. A reliable transportation system would also aid in this prevention and allow for on-demand services.

  • The government should not dictate what is a controlled substance.

The Controlled Substance Act (CSA), a statute regarding the drug policy of certain substances in the United States, was enacted in 1971 as a continuation of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Prevention Act of 1970. Even though the CSA was enacted by Congress, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control what substances appear on this classification list. Opioids, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are described as, “...a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.” Furthermore, drugabuse.org states that, “All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription).”Both of these statements clearly imply that opioids are addictive and illegal, and yet they are still being prescribed everyday. Beginning in the 1990s, doctors began prescribing opioids for pain relief among patients, assuring that these were not addictive. However, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared opioid misuse a public health emergency in 2017. In 2018 alone, 10.3 Million people misused prescription opioids, and about a hundred thirty people overdose daily from opioids. Furthermore, most people who misuse opioids do not receive treatment, and many of those with treatment obtain care that is not evidence-based. In 2017, the HHS declared a five-point strategy to help reduce the opioid crisis. These strategies included improving access to prevention and treatment, supporting cutting edge research, strengthening public health data, targeting overdose-reducing drugs, and advancing pain care. Although we must ask, who is administering this data and performing the cutting-edge research that is supposed to aid solve this crisis? Does one really believe that more drugs will help those struggling with an opioid addiction? These are the kinds of questions individuals should be asking these governmental agencies that are “supposedly” put in place to help those with addiction. 

According to drugabuse.com, 91% of those recovering from opioid misuse will relapse, and 80% of those detoxing will relapse within the first month. From these statistics, rehabilitation centers and governmental agencies that are put in place to help the opioid crisis are clearly not working. While the ideas and five-point strategy for the opioid crisis suggested by the HHS may be good in theory, alternative theories and strategies should be used to combat this crisis and ultimately solve the long-term problem and promote an overall healthy lifestyle. Many new treatments such as NAD+ therapy help struggling addicts and have been proven to aid in longevity. Nadtreatmentcenter.com says, “Patients report little to no withdrawal symptoms when going through detox from opiates and alcohol.  Following treatment, patients generally report a reduction in cravings, increased energy, and improved mood.” Treatments such as this should be encouraged and implemented more within society instead of more harmful drugs that ultimately do not improve patients long-term. 

Another debatable topic of controlled substances is the possession of marijuana and psychedelics. Marijuana and psychedelics have been used in societies for centuries to aid in “spiritual awakenings” and “reaching one’s true potential/self.” In the U.S. however, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 banned the use and sales of marijuana and was replaced with the CSA in 1970. Marijuana was placed in the Schedule I category, being one of the most dangerous. Psychedelics, similarly, were banned in the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. These bans enacted decades ago have made research on these controlled substances difficult; however, regulations have somewhat changed over the past few years. Eleven states have fully legalized the use of recreational marijuana, and the majority of states have approved some medical use or decriminalization of marijuana with new research and studies available. In 2019, only 1.3% of federal drug sentences were for the possession of marijuana, while 42% were for the possession of methamphetamine and almost 18% for possession of powder cocaine. Furthermore, 56.7% of those convicted for marijuana trafficking were U.S. citizens, while 43.3% were non U.S. citizens, and 16.1% of those convicted possessed a weapon. Drugabusestatistics.org also states, “In 2019, the US Sentencing Commission reported that the largest percentage of federal offenses resulting in sentencing were immigration-related (38.4%), an increase from 2018’s percentage of 34.4%.” The stigma around marijuana and the violence that occurs with this drug must change.  The Pew Research Center conducted a survey in September 2019 and concluded that, “...two-thirds of U.S. adults said marijuana should be legal, up from around half (52%) five years earlier. The same survey found that 59% of adults believe marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use, while 32% say it should be legal for medical use only. Just 8% of adults said it should not be legal under any circumstances.” More and more U.S. citizens for the past few years believe that marijuana should be made legal or at least somewhat legal. Just as any substance can be abused, such as alcohol, it is important that certain regulations be put in place to maximize  marijuana's benefits and long-term health of its users. However, with current federal regulations in place for some controlled substances, citizens are not allowed to make their own medical choices to expand their overall health and longevity. 

  • An individual must take responsibility for their own health and legislation. This basic human right must be upheld.  

The Declaration of Independence declares unalienable rights as, “... Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…” Over the past hundreds of years, many arguments have been made for what was meant by the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and happiness. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health in their constitution as, “...a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without  distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” The health of an individual is not just one who is not sick, but is a complete state of mental and spiritual well being.  Western medicine has not focused on the mental and spiritual side of healthcare. The government and big pharmaceutical companies stop problems with prescription medications, but those become expensive and unreadily available for many patients who require certain drugs to meet their everyday needs. The medical system today has just about failed each and every individual in some way, shape, or form. Patients and everyday citizens deserve to take back their lives and should be responsible for their health and the knowledge behind their well-being. Subjects such as metabolic agency, physiological autonomy, health responsibility, morphological freedom, and genetic liberty should be made available for individuals to choose what is best for their health needs. 

 

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Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.

—Thomas Jefferson