Pharmaceuticals and health policy: an Indian example.
The production and consumption of allopathic medicines in less developed countries has far-reaching effects. In particular, the legitimization of allopathic medicine endows professional groups and sectors of industry with a special status, supports some patterns of healthcare, and neglects others. Research in India demonstrates that people equate "more drugs' with "a better situation' and this is seen as the most "appropriate' solution to India's pharmaceuticals problems. The belief is expressed in matters such as Government policy on the pharmaceutical industry and the development of health services. However, these dominant assumptions, and the equation of drug prescription with medical practice, have a negative effect on health.
Stoker
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Department of Sociology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Jeffery
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D003153:Community Health Services / Q000639:trends; D003906:Developing Countries; D004345:Drug Industry; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends