Aging, Big Pharma, Pharmacist, Legal Justice > Likes and Comments

I have had a Goodreads account for a couple of years. I struggled with posting because I did not see a relevant topic. I am a pharmacist who worked for a large chain and experienced Age discrimination through what I came to know as coercive relocation, but as I tried to fight them, I realized that the Lawyers were on their side and if they were not initially, they soon were, I tried to post in some pharmacy groups but they are so brainwashed, I could not get any serious dialogue. All they want to focus on is PBM reform. That is needed but our treatment is my concern. I documented everything that happened and it would be nice to discuss it with real people who could give their honest opinions. I guess you could say, I would like to have honest opinions from what counts "The court of public Opinion". I guess I am in the right place, if not, disregard. Thanks

DaOnda wrote: "I have had a Goodreads account for a couple of years. I struggled with posting because I did not see a relevant topic. I am a pharmacist who worked for a large chain and experienced Age discriminat..."

DaOnda, I think you will generally find the average 'Undergrounder' (member of this group) is anti or at least critical of Big Pharma. I've not experienced age discrimination involving Big Pharma but I can well imagine it exists.
My bigger criticism would be that Big Pharma discriminates against finding cures in favor of manufacturing and distributing treatments for the various ailments that afflict Mankind... Treatments (like BP medication) that never end and over time cost big bucks.
On that topic (BP medication) I have a recommended alternative - endorsed by a top US surgeon of all people) - for those who suffer high BP... It's totally natural Aged Kyolic garlic tablets available from any chemist or health shop. Someone close to me who (barely) tolerated BP medication for two years brought her BP levels back to normal within 48hrs of switching to these garlic tablets.
But I digress...
Your thoughts?

You are absolutely correct. I am a bad "patient". I don't take any meds and I am 61 at this point. Almost every ailment (my personal opinion) can be treated if not cured with natural products. My sister is a retired pharmacist and we are both on the same page as you. Big Pharma is in business (not to cure us either) to treat our ailments that they create. As I said, it is a business. It's a bad business (and corrupt) at that. Don't get me started on vaccines.
My initial post was to try to connect with others who may have some interest and feedback on business practices of the retail giants (not mentioning any names but CVS for example). I have interacted with some other pharmacists, and they (CVS) seem to have a MOA to get rid of older pharmacists by transferring us to locations approximately 50-100 miles away from our homes, so we have to make the commute every day. That way, they don't have to fire, they get you to quit. I documented my case very well and what I experienced is unbelievable. It got more interesting when I sued them. I was never supposed to find out what I did, but I did. The attorney that was supposed to be representing me had a "good working relationship" with their attorney. Imagine that. Anyway, I took it as far as I could and got him under Oath. I was also able to get 2 employment attorneys to weigh in and final Opinions from an arbitrator and Judge. If you know of any groups that would be interested, or any advocacy groups for such, I would like to chat and maybe join another group like this. It's nice to see people are waking up to the antics, but there are still way too many that have not. I am still working but thank goodness not in the retail setting anymore. I like you digress. I get off topic easily when I get started thinking about the retail settings. Thanks for the chat. I will check back.

DaOnda wrote: "You are absolutely correct. I am a bad "patient". I don't take any meds and I am 61 at this point. Almost every ailment (my personal opinion) can be treated if not cured with natural products. My s..."

Dear DaOnda,

I really feel for you! so sorry to hear you've been in this painful situation, which sounds so unfair.

The big pharma, like any other big business, can easily afford the best lawyers.. this is why "one man figting the system" rarely works, I feel. But! We can all do things right in our own way, and the ripple effect is a powerful one.

I am a family doctor, and I always advocate simple home remedies/nature remedies when safe and appropriate. A number of lifestyle changes could cancel the need for medications altogether, and we all could do with developing better life-style habits.

In every country, many thousands of us seem to be moving towards more natural life style, living closer to nature, and eating more healthily.. eventually, as we become less willing/less in need to take medications, there will be less business available for pharma companies.

:)

Jasmine

As a family physician, I see this from a slightly different angle.
Conditions like hypertension or type 2 diabetes are rarely just “about pills.”
In most cases, they are deeply connected to lifestyle — sedentary habits, chronic stress, excess weight, poor diet.
Medication often controls the consequence.
Lifestyle addresses the cause.
But here is the hard truth: lifestyle change is difficult. It requires daily discipline. Many patients prefer a pill over long-term behavioral change. That doesn’t make them weak — it makes them human.
The most effective approach is both: Medication when necessary. Lifestyle change whenever possible.
As for vaccines — their greatest success is almost invisible.
We don’t see polio wards anymore. We rarely see diphtheria, severe measles, or rabies in developed systems. That absence is not proof they disappeared — it’s proof prevention works.
Tetanus, rabies, severe measles, diphtheria still exist. They are just waiting where vaccination rates drop.
Medicine is not perfect. Pharma is not perfect.
But prevention, responsibility, and critical thinking matter more than extremes.

DaOnda wrote: "You are absolutely correct. I am a bad "patient". I don't take any meds and I am 61 at this point. Almost every ailment (my personal opinion) can be treated if not cured with natural products. My s..."

Well said, DaOnda!

Dr. wrote: "DaOnda wrote: "You are absolutely correct. I am a bad "patient". I don't take any meds and I am 61 at this point. Almost every ailment (my personal opinion) can be treated if not cured with natural..."

Well said, Dr.

Vasyl wrote: "As a family physician, I see this from a slightly different angle.
Conditions like hypertension or type 2 diabetes are rarely just “about pills.”
In most cases, they are deeply connected to lifesty..."

Thanks for your views, Vasyl. Much to think about in your response.

Re your defense of vaccines... You make excellent points. However...

I suspect your comments apply to historic vaccines (measles, smallpox etc. etc.).

It's my understanding mRNA technology is being incorporated in most if not all vaccines since the COVID-19 vaccines were unleashed on an unsuspecting public. Unleashed in indecent haste I might add. I know that's the case with flu vaccines and I think measles also and I suspect all vaccines from this point on.

Given the worldwide opposition to mRNA vaccines by highly qualified people such as Robert Malone (founder of mRNA technology) and Michael Yeadon (former chief scientist of Pfizer), I remain very skeptical of the new technology and I know I'm not alone.

I personally will need assurance a vaccine is MRNA-free before I take another vaccine.

I'd value your thoughts on this.

Lance
P.S. I avoided the Covid vax (like the plague) but I had many or most of the historically tried and tested vaccines in my younger years.

Thanks, Lance — I appreciate you keeping the discussion thoughtful here.
Just one quick clarification: mRNA is one vaccine platform, but it isn’t “being incorporated into most vaccines” by default; platforms vary by product. If someone wants to avoid a specific platform, the practical step is simply to check the exact vaccine label/leaflet for the technology used.
I’d rather not turn this thread into a vaccine debate, but I’m happy to discuss the broader theme you raised — how trust, institutions, and “for the greater good” narratives shape our choices.

Vasyl wrote: "Thanks, Lance — I appreciate you keeping the discussion thoughtful here.
Just one quick clarification: mRNA is one vaccine platform, but it isn’t “being incorporated into most vaccines” by default;..."

Point taken, thanks.
One final vax-related query... Are other tech options available to consumers who don't like the technology used in a particular vaccine? I somehow doubt it.

On the wider issue of age discrimination and other business practices of the retail giants in the pharmaceutical sector, please do keep the group appraised of any noteworthy developments.

Thanks, Lance. Yes — there are multiple vaccine technology platforms, and availability depends on the disease, country, and the specific products on the market. Broadly, common platforms include mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, and inactivated/whole-virus (and in some cases live-attenuated, depending on the vaccine). So for many vaccines, consumers do have “tech options” — but not always for every disease or every season.
The practical step is to check the exact product name and its leaflet/label, and ask the pharmacist to confirm the platform used.
I’ll leave the vaccine topic there, but I agree the bigger question of trust, incentives, and transparency matters — and it connects directly to the retail-sector discussion you raised.