When observed as a business model, the U.S. sickness care system is a great way to make money for the Medical industry, but its cost and lack of real solutions to medical issues is causing the public to look elsewhere for help. Many Americans are wisely returning to botanicals and nutritional support.
I would argue that the medical establishment, heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, has lost its way. They haven't seriously been addressing the root causes of the many diseases that have sprung up as a result of changes in our diet, our lifestyles, and our environment, so they have no cures and many of their "therapies" leave us more injured and suffering than before our expensive treatment.
What is the FDA's reaction to this? It appears to be focused on removing our access to alternatives and palliatives, for instance homeopathy and herbs, especially kratom.
This practice reminds me of "bailing out the banks" in response to the bad business practices that created the sub-prime loan fiasco of 2007-2008.
We, who have paid financially and in the loss of loved ones, thanks to an opioid crisis the medical establishment created and the FDA approved, are now expected to pay Big Pharma to solve this problem with more of their addictive opioids (suboxone and methadone) -- and more profits for them. Does this seem right to you?
Meanwhile, the FDA is busily trying to make it a criminal offense for those who seek freedom from opioids (and other disappointing medications) to do it with an herb.
What's next? A ban on turmeric?!