Alternatives to medicine

The article, "Vitamania: Quest for the magic pill" (by Jane Brody of the New York Times, Oct.26), is typical of a direct or behind-the-scenes product of the pharmaceutical lobby. It is full of halftruths, misinformation and disinformation.

There are very good reasons why people are buying these products, from simple vitamins to such things as glucosamine sulfate. They work, they are cheap compared to patented pharmaceuticals and they don't require a visit to a physician. Who can afford to go to the doctor these days?

But these nutraceuticals are effective. That is the real reason they get attacked. The aggressive campaigns are waged against nutraceuticals that take away the profits from companies that make billions on pain medication, sleeping pills and chronic problems like depression and arthritis. Their
medications are often addictive and have dangerous side effects.

The companies want effective, safe alternatives removed from the market permanently. Yes, there have been a few items sold that proved harmful. However, laws already on the books are more than adequate to deal with them. The choice is: Do we allow special interests to pick our pockets by
preventing us from buying effective, safer alternatives to their expensive pharmaceuticals? Do we allow them to stop us from taking simple vitamins that will prevent many of the "illnesses" their expensive drugs treat? If they could they would. And all in the name of making a profit.

BRIAN HANLEY,

San Rafael