The history of pharmacy and herbalism initially shared common roots, with plants being used as medicinal remedies. However, as pharmaceutical companies emerged and gained influence, herbalism and alternative medicines were systematically marginalized. This shift can be attributed to the growing power of pharmaceutical companies, which have been known to sit in on medical education boards in schools and shape the curriculum.
In the early 20th century, the influential Flexner report led to the standardization of medical education based on scientific principles, which prioritized pharmaceuticals over other systems of traditional medicine. As a result, eclectic medicine, herbalism, homeopathy, and other systems were criticized, denounced and even prohibited from being practiced. This report, commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation, resulted in a paradigm shift towards a more pharmaceutical-centric approach to healthcare.
Pharmaceutical companies invested heavily in research and development, leading to the discovery of life-saving drugs that revolutionized modern medicine. However, despite their capabilities, pharmaceuticals often come with disadvantages and side effects. The push for profits and patents has sometimes prioritized commercial interests over patient well-being, resulting in high costs, over-prescribing, and a focus on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes of diseases.
Moreover, pharmaceuticals can have adverse effects on the environment, with the production and disposal of drugs contributing to pollution and ecological damage. Additionally, the influence of pharmaceutical companies on medical education boards has raised concerns about conflicts of interest, bias, and potential undue influence in shaping healthcare policies and practices.
While herbalism and alternative medicines have a long-standing history of use in many cultures, they have often been marginalized in modern healthcare systems. Despite their potential benefits, herbalism and alternative medicines have faced challenges in gaining recognition and acceptance within mainstream healthcare, partly due to the dominance of pharmaceuticals and the influence of pharmaceutical companies. There are inherent challenges in standardization of natural medicines, and thus not only showing clinical evidence behind them, but also making the business part of it difficult to scale.
Nevertheless, there has been a growing awareness of the limitations and potential harms of pharmaceuticals, leading to renewed interest in herbalism and alternative medicines as complementary or holistic approaches to healthcare. Many individuals seek out herbal remedies and alternative therapies for their perceived safety, natural origins, and potential for addressing the root causes of health issues.
The divergence of pharmacy and herbalism can be attributed to the growing influence of pharmaceutical companies, which have shaped medical education and policies. Despite the life-saving capabilities of pharmaceuticals, they can also come with disadvantages and side effects. While fast-acting and appropriate for acute situations, they are unable to reverse or prevent chronic disease because they fail to address root causes.
Herbalism and alternative medicines have often been marginalized, but there is a growing recognition of their potential benefits. Both pharmaceuticals and natural medicines have a role in health and are not mutually exclusive. They address completely different sides of health and either one alone is not enough to support the wide array of health conditions and symptoms of our growing population.
It is important to strike a balance between pharmaceuticals and herbalism, and to prioritize patient safety, well-being, and the broader societal and environmental impacts of healthcare practices.
