It’s a staggering number even for Big Pharma…
The number of physicians that pharmaceutical companies paid half a million dollars or more to skyrocketed 11,000% in a span of less than 10 years.1
Big Pharma spends billions of dollars every year to market their drugs – and a big part of that is targeted directly toward doctors.
In fact, a whopping 94% of doctors confessed they accept some form of payment from Big Pharma.2 And those are the ones who admit it.
But this 11,000% increase is mind blowing.
Pharmaceutical Reps Don’t Call Them “Bribes”…
They Call Them “Incentives”
But, the fact remains that they offer physicians substantial payments in the form of cash, meals, drug samples, free travel, and speaking engagement fees. Big Pharma even reimburses doctors for the expenses associated with keeping their medical licenses.3
It’s a great way for drug makers to influence and control the information that doctors receive.
Doctors who accept these payments from Big Pharma say it absolutely does not influence any medical decisions they make. But a recent report by an independent research group found otherwise.
Their report determined that the more doctors were paid by the industry, the more they prescribed brand name drugs in general. Further research found that this
loyalty happens even when doctors are given a free meal worth less than $20.I have never accepted a penny from Big Pharma.
And I continue to wage war against the medical-industrial complex for one reason: I care more about my patients than I do about profit.
That’s why I recommend all-natural therapies over medical drugs.
Let me share a few alternatives that safely replace Big Pharma’s most-prescribed and best-selling drugs.
Try These 3 Alternatives to
Big Pharma’s Deadly Drugs
Humira. This biologic is the number one pharmaceutical money-maker. Humira is prescribed for a variety of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis118118, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Humira can lead to serious infections and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis. Since 2004, biologics like Humira have been linked to 34,000 deaths and more than 500,000 serious “adverse events.”
I recommend curcumin. This root remains one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories ever discovered. It targets your body’s signaling molecule for inflammation called nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Studies show curcumin reduces arthritis pain by 60% and joint swelling by 73%.4
Take 400 to 500 mg twice a day. Look for a supplement that contains piperine. This black pepper extract boosts absorbency by 2,000%.
Lipitor. If you’re 60 or older, your chance of being put on a cholesterol-lowering drug like Lipitor is a staggering 87%!5 I’ve been warning about this statin scam247247 for decades.
A new study released last year confirms – once again – the lie behind the cholesterol-heart attack myth. According to a massive review, lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol will NOT reduce your risk of heart attack.6
Rather than lowering cholesterol, I help my patients raise their HDL. High H-DL is a strong predictor of heart health. It helps removes bad cholesterol from your bloodstream
Along with omega-3 fats, I recommend niacin. Studies show this vitamin B3 raises HDL up to 30%. You’ll need to supplement with 750 to 1,000 mg a day. Start with a dose of 250 mg to reduce “flushing.” Increase monthly until you hit your target dose.
Nexium. In 2020, AstraZeneca’s best-selling heartburn pill generated $1.5 billion.7 While this proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may relieve your heartburn in the short-term, it doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
PPIs focus on reducing stomach acid. But the real cause of heartburn167167 is when your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) no longer functions properly. This allows stomach acid, bile, and food to enter your esophagus.
And aside from not providing a cure, PPIs increase your heart attack risk by 20%. They block nitric oxide production, causing blood vessels to become stiff and narrow. This stops oxygen from getting to your heart.
I recommend a cure that’s safe and highly effective… baking soda. Baking soda contains bicarbonate, a base that neutralizes acid. Bicarbonates help balance your pH, making it less acidic and more alkaline.
That means baking soda can neutralize the acid in your stomach. Simply mix one-half to one teaspoon of baking soda into an 8-ounce glass of water before bed and drink. You’ll be amazed how effective it is.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References:
1. Ornstein, C. We Found Over 700 Doctors Who Were Paid More Than a Million Dollars by Drug and Medical Device Companies. ProPublica. Published 2019. Accessed August 11, 2021.
2. Campbell E, et al. “A national survey of Physician-industry relationships.” NEJM. April 26, 2007; 356:1742-1750.
3. Pifer R. Pharma, medtech spending accounted for 28% of CME funds in 2017. Healthcare Dive. Published July 26, 2018. Accessed August 11, 2021.
4. Chandran B, Goel A. “A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.” Phytother Res. 2012;26(11):1719-25.
5. Sagon C. Huh? “87 Percent of Men Age 60 Plus Should Take a Statin?” AARP Healthy Living. Accessed August 2, 2017.
6. DuBroff, R, et al. “Hit or miss: the new cholesterol targets.” BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. August 2020.
7. Mikulic M. “AstraZeneca’s revenue from top product Nexium 2006-2020.” Accessed August 2021.