Pharmaceuticalization of Society in Context: Theoretical, Empirical and Health Dimensions

Abstract

Sociological interest in pharmaceuticals has intensified, heightening awareness of ‘pharmaceuticalization’. It is argued that pharmaceuticalization should be understood by reference to five main biosociological explanatory factors: biomedicalism, medicalization, pharmaceutical industry promotion and marketing, consumerism, and regulatory-state ideology or policy. The biomedicalism thesis, which claims that expansion of drug treatment reflects advances in biomedical science to meet health needs, is found to be a weak explanatory factor because a significant amount of growth in pharmaceuticalization is inconsistent with scientific evidence, and because drug innovations offering significant therapeutic advance have been declining across the sector, including areas of major health need. Some elements of consumerism have undermined pharmaceuticalization, even causing de-pharmaceuticalization in some therapeutic sub-fields. However, other aspects of consumerism, together with industry promotion, medicalization, and deregulatory state policies are found to be drivers of increased pharmaceuticalization in ways that are largely outside, or sub-optimal for, significant therapeutic advances in the interests of public health.

Towards a broader conceptualisation of ‘public trust’ in the health care system

“…non-governmental organisations), or religious 183 organisations. The strong influence of pharmaceutical companies on the health care system 184 and the public has been increasingly critically discussed in recent years (Abraham, 2010). The 185 so called socio-technical 'pharmaceuticalization' of society provides opportunities for 186 pharma industries to shape both their market and health care systems (Williams et al, 2011).…”

From Medicalisation to Pharmaceuticalisation - A Sociological Overview. New Scenarios for the Sociology of Health

“…The process of pharmaceuticalisation is found in milieus that are traditionally not part of the medical domain (Abraham 2010b Around these definitions the argument between the medicalisation and the pharmaceuticalisation factions has focused on whether the latter concept is a necessary one or could simply be included under the heading of medicalisation. The debate as it has so far developed may be summed up under three main positions (Busfield 2006;Abraham 2010;Gabe 2011a, 2011b).…”

“…As patents come to an end and brand drugs are replaced by generic drugs, Busfield adds, the growth rates fall worldwide, except for China, Brazil and India. Abraham (2010b) emphasises that the concept of pharmaceuticalisation is an important one and presents a complex profile. While acknowledging that the term somewhat overlaps with medicalisation, he points out significant differences between the two phenomena.…”

The drugs don't sell: DIY heart health and the over-the-counter statin experience

“…Though lay activism and consumerism are described as playing a part in the expansion of pharmaceutical use (Abraham 2010b, Bell and Figert 2012, Williams, Martin and Gabe 2011, there is more to do to understand pharmaceutical consumers and consumerism.…”

“…Moreira 2010). As Abraham (2010b) In one review, Pound, Britten, Morgan et al (2005) suggest that while some accept pharmaceutical treatment, lay responses to medicine are best characterised by the concept of resistance. This may operate at conceptual and practical levels (Authors, in review).…”