Government Needs New Role in Big Pharma
It goes against the grain of my nature to suggest increased government intervention into any area of business environment. Generally, less government involvement in commerce results in a healthier economy. However, if the cartel attributes of big pharma are not contained, integrative treatment options will never have a chance to be seriously considered. This containment would not unduly restrict big pharma’s access to government, but rather it would restore government’s freedom from the undue influence of big pharma. Only in the reduction of the hundreds of millions of dollars in drug industry influence will the government be inclined to give appropriate attention to integrative medicine. Even if this monopolistic influence buying is reduced considerably, integrative treatment proponents must ratchet up their government influence activities if they want a place at the table. A certain amount of lobbying effort is necessary to keep the government informed and updated. It will be a cost of doing business if integrative treatment is to mature. Congress and medical agencies should police themselves with the aid of all treatment proponents to maintain a balanced view of cancer treatment options.
This change in government’s role will only happen through a grass roots effort by the public. Congressmen and medical agency executives will have to be convinced that their constituents and stakeholders are more important to them than lobbyists and lucrative profit margins. It’s time to act.