Skip to main content
Tags: pharmaceuticals | medicine | politics | aca

Pharma Is My Friend — Why Do So Many Politicians Bash It?

Pharma Is My Friend — Why Do So Many Politicians Bash It?
(Artinun Prekmoung/Dreamstime.com)

By    |   Friday, 01 June 2018 02:41 PM EDT

I’m a healthy 62-year-old type 2 diabetic. I maintain my good health through the following controlled daily regimen:

  • Diet
  • Exercise 
  • Prescription medications

All the above are crucial to my existence, but while I can occasionally miss a day in the gym or stray from my healthy diet, I cannot live without prescription medications. I take these medications to help manage diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol:

Metformin: lowers the amount of sugar produced by the liver

Atenolol: treats high blood pressure

Simvastatin: helps lower bad cholesterol and fats

Olmesartan: helps with blood flow

Januvia: helps lower blood sugar

Ambien: helps me sleep when I’m worrying about my health

I’ve attempted to live without some of these medications using extreme diet and exercise programs as alternatives, and the results have always been disastrous: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, higher cholesterol, and weight gain.

I’ve discussed this phenomenon on radio and in numerous columns with Dr. Evelyn C. Granieri, Chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Aging at New York Presbyterian Hospital. “A significant part of health and ageing has to do with luck and genetics,” said Dr. Granieri. “A healthy lifestyle helps, but you cannot negate the importance of medications.”

Four of the medications (Metformin, Atenolol, Simvastatin, and Ambien) mentioned above are generic and can be purchased inexpensively (less than the cost of vitamins or a daily smoothie). I often use my Walgreens card ($25.00 per year) as an alternative to my health insurance for certain prescriptions because the price is lower. (Atenolol $3 a month). Januvia and Olmesartan are expensive drugs, but they are new and the results of millions of dollars of research and effort on the part of pharmaceutical companies, which brings me to the point of this piece. If not for my prescription medications, I would be in very ill health or (based on family history) perhaps not even alive today.

Why then, are the companies that supply me with lifesaving drugs continually maligned by politicians (and many of my associates in the media) who regularly insist that we should be receiving prescription medications for “free”?

Pharmaceutical companies are easy targets for politicians to push an anti-corporate agenda and galvanize a block of voters. In the past politicians have targeted companies from other industries, but as health becomes a larger issue, a new scapegoat has been found. Despite their increasing attacks, politicians have offered no solutions or plans regarding “free” medication, but instead point fingers and bang a loud drum, demonizing the businesses I rely on for my health.

Politicians (and many of my fellow pundits) promised me that I’d have better and less expensive healthcare with the ACA, but instead I lost my endocrinologist and my insurance, so pardon my skepticism. As far as I know, the government offers the public no help or education regarding heart health and diabetes, yet my Twitter feed is filled with helpful information from numerous pharmaceutical companies that I use daily.

As a nation, we are not healthy. According to the CDC, more than one-third of the adults in our country are obese and the problem is worsening. Blaming an entire industry may serve as a temporary band aid and garner votes and television ratings, but it’s a lie that won’t help anyone.

Rob Taub has enjoyed an eclectic career in film, television, radio, and journalism. He has interviewed everyone from pop stars to presidents and he has written more than 250 articles for People Magazine, FoxNews.com, SI/Cauldron, The Huffington Post, and Thrive Global. Rob is a respected Diabetes Advocate and Obesity Ambassador, writing and speaking regularly about Type 2 diabetes and health. Follow him on Twitter @robmtaub or at www.RobTaub.com. To read more of his reports — Click Here Now.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


RobTaub
According to the CDC, more than one-third of the adults in our country are obese and the problem is worsening. Blaming an entire industry may serve as a temporary band aid and garner votes and television ratings, but it’s a lie that won’t help anyone.
pharmaceuticals, medicine, politics, aca
623
2018-41-01
Friday, 01 June 2018 02:41 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved