A network for the rational and ethical use of drugs

Abstract

Brand-named prescription drugs are called 'ethical drugs' by the drug industry. Nothing could be more wrong. Many of these ethical drugs are unscientific and irrational combinations (for example Ampiclox), or plain harmful (for example Analgin, Nimesulide, etc.), or harmless but cause wasteful expenditure to patients (for instance, tonics which claim to be rejuvenators and/or nutrients). Prescribing such unscientific, irrational, harmful and/or wasteful drugs is unethical; unscientific behaviour by those who are trained in a particular science must be considered unethical.