[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The problem is that the NHS, and private doctors as well for that matter, are habitually over-prescribing on an absolutely massive scale. There are COUNTLESS ailments, especially in the elderly, that can be controlled or even alleviated completely with diet and lifestyle changes but it's much easier (not to mention profitable, with their Big Pharma kickbacks and bribes) for GPs to give out prescriptions and say "go away and pop a pill".

Not to mention the terrifying overprescription of antibiotics, which has massive biological (individual and wider) implications as well as the huge financial burden.

The scale of the problem is absolutely insane. I would say that probably 75% of GP visits result in patients being sent away with pill prescriptions that they just absolutely do not need.

While what you say is true, it is the linking of how much you 'contribute to society' (financially) and how much you deserve help that is the disgusting..but predictable..
Just the thought of basically culling the elderly for the countries financial gain is revolting to me.

Do antibiotics really cost more than you pay for them? My prescriptions are nearly a tenner IIRC. I know some people get them free, but I thought thats why the rest of us had to pay such ridiculous amounts, to cover the difference.