First! Do No Pharm

I first became aware of Dr. Aseem Malhotra while researching metabolic syndrome, a condition tied to increased risks of heart disease and diabetes. During my search, I came across his compelling presentation to the European Parliament titled "Profit Over Population Health," which emphasized how commercial interests in healthcare often overshadow the well-being of individuals. His straightforward, patient-first approach to healthcare instantly resonated with me, as he boldly addressed the detrimental role of corporate profit motives in shaping medical practices.

Dr. Malhotra’s work, particularly in the area of nutrition and heart disease, makes absolute sense. He has been a long-time advocate for exposing the harmful effects of sugar and for rethinking the reliance on certain medications like statins. His balanced emphasis on lifestyle interventions over pharmaceutical dependency mirrors what I was discovering about the importance of addressing root causes in metabolic health, rather than merely managing symptoms.

His latest film, First! Do No Pharm, further amplifies these ideas by shining a light on the pharmaceutical industry’s manipulative tactics. The documentary is a bold exposé on the global pharmaceutical industry and its profit-driven approach to healthcare. Co-created with documentary filmmaker Donal O’Neill, the film focuses on how pharmaceutical companies prioritise profits over patient health, contributing to widespread misinformation among doctors and patients. The film features testimonies from leading experts, including former British Medical Journal editor Dr. Fiona Godlee and health professionals such as Professor Jay Bhattacharya and Dr. Peter Wilmshurst.

Malhotra critiques the industry's unethical practices, such as manipulating medical research and exaggerating the benefits of certain drugs like statins, while minimising their side effects. He advocates for greater transparency and a healthcare system focused on patients rather than corporate interests. The documentary also explores how lifestyle changes, including yoga-based techniques to reverse heart disease, offer alternative ways to improve health, showcased through Dr. Satish Gupta's work in India.

Overall, the film is a powerful call to action, urging the public to be more critical of the pharmaceutical industry's influence on healthcare and to explore holistic, patient-centred approaches to well-being. The documentary is now being screened internationally, aiming to spark discussions and reforms within the healthcare sector.

This film is a must-watch for everyone, as the medical industry as it stands affects us all, directly or indirectly - we all have a vested interest in it working to our benefit, and not to our detriment. 

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