Lifestyle diseases: Just a marketing gimmick? Source: MSN India Frequent alarming reports on sharp rise in *lifestyle diseases* <http://search.msn.co.in/results.aspx?q=lifestyle+diseases+&form=MSNH&srch_type=1252>in the country are being blamed on a nexus among some pharma companies, corporate hospitals and doctors to allegedly increase sales of drugs by creating a "fear psychosis".
Consumer activists, a section of the government doctors and psychologists claim that the concerted campaign is nothing but a marketing ploy to improve profit margins and a surreptitious way to prop up sales of drugs and products. They have expressed dismay over frequent reports in the media about increase in the number of people suffering from heart ailments, diabetes, depression and asthma among other diseases saying it has led to a "fear psychosis." But pharmaceutical firms like Ranbaxy, a leading firm, which recently initiated a heart awareness campaign that currently comes out on TV has contested suggestions that surveys done by drug companies are aimed at scaring people for their monetary gains. "We conduct consumer awareness programmes as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to generate mass awareness and knowledge about various disease segments. Many times such an exercise helps to fill in the knowledge gap that may exist," says a Ranbaxy spokesperson. The firm has previously conducted studies in cholesterol related issues, diabetes, HIV, asthma among others. While many of the studies are backed by World Health Organisation (WHO) and other reputed agencies, a large number of studies are backed by pharma companies which they claim is part of their corporate social responsibility. -- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Welcome To dimpill's gang! This is the Best Place to Hang around.We Give u the Best in Latest News, Jokes, Funny Pictures,Wallpapers,Latest Buzz and Much More! Connect your World with Us join Now http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
