The article by Colin Steer in yesterday's Gleaner speaks to an issue in health care that is just as obvious in education, justice and other areas of life where the profit motive seems to dominate more ethical considerations. The creation of numerous diagnoses which seem to cater to the use of 'new' drugs, medical equipment and procedures in the absence of objective criteria supporting this so called advance.

Recently, we have seen the recall of dangerous implants by companies like Medtronic, misleading ads by people like Lily and have witnessed the bringing down of professors in leading medical institutions for taking bribes (grants) from drug companies whose flawed 'research' and dangerous, ineffective drugs they promote. This is information that has come to newspapers so it is safe to assume that it is merely the tip of the iceberg.

It is my opinion that the article is pointing to malignant dishonesty in the area of health care. It is not that I think that every practitioner is purposefully dishonest. I do know that the structure of the profession is such that one is strongly influenced by those to whom one is apprenticed at the various stages of one's career. One may then evolve into the selfish, greedy, money-grabbing doctor who is at the centre of many shows, comedies and trials.

Influence the head

The pharmaceutical and equipment manufacturers know that if they influence the head, the rest will follow - much like poisoning the headwaters of a river. It is also a matter of record that many of our so-called refereed journals are also involved in some hoaxes. The article is on to something which I hope that the medical profession can see as positive and seek to make a correction.

In the USA, a very small number of medical schools has barred participation of pharmacy and equipment manufacturers in their medical school and hospital training programmes. The others, for various reasons keep their hands extended in the hope of receiving more largesse. The trusting populace suffers and dies as a result of this greed. I like to view our worldwide financial situation as the result of ignorance, greed and criminality. Health care, the justice system and education have not been immunised against these afflictions. Thanks for the article.

I am, etc.,

FRANCIS BLACMAN

Kingston