{"id":2764,"date":"2017-03-14T11:14:54","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T11:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/antropologia2-0.com\/?p=2764"},"modified":"2018-03-26T18:00:30","modified_gmt":"2018-03-26T18:00:30","slug":"the-need-for-an-anthropology-of-medicines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.antropologia2-0.com\/en\/the-need-for-an-anthropology-of-medicines\/","title":{"rendered":"The need for an anthropology of medicines"},"content":{"rendered":"

What medicines\u00a0do we take more and why? What do we expect from the medicines we consume? <\/span><\/p>\n

In times of collective doping, I think it\u00b4s good to reflect on these types of issues. We know that people have always used substances for different reasons. Recent discoveries also point out that neanderthals had used penicillium or acid salycilic to heal themselves<\/a>. \u00a0But humans havent only used drugs to heal themselves, other times they used them to alter their consciousness, or even better, to do both simultaneously. For example opium and its derivatives were the first analgesics, but, as everyone knows, they have also been a lethal drug of recess. Today, the consumption of opium and heroin is illegal, while the patches of fentanyl or morphine that many people have on their arms are socially accepted. The fine line between legal and illegal is materialized in a slight change of radicals. That is, by changing a part of the chemical structure (imperceptible to the human eye). Then it becomes a medicine and subsequently, we normalize its consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n

Im currently studing a Master’s Degree in \u201cResearch and Rational Use of Medicines\u201d at the University of Valencia. For those who are not familiar with the concept of “Rational use of medicines” I leave here the official definition:<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is understood by Rational Use of Medications that patients receive the medication appropriate to their clinical needs, in the doses corresponding to their individual requirements, for a suitable period of time and at the lowest cost possible for them and their community. The treatment must also be safe, effective and of a proven quality. ” (WHO, Nairobi, 1985).<\/span><\/p>\n

Had you heard about this concept before? Do you think that we generally make a rational use of medicines? Perhaps you are surprised to learn that, according to official data, so-called “developed” countries make less rational use of medicines than those “developing” countries. My view is that the reasons for this to happen are well deserving the attention of an anthropologist. Now that I have put you in context about what Im going to talk to you about and why, let’s talk about our great friend: the legal drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What do we expect from medication?<\/span><\/h3>\n

What does society expect from medicines? Western society has developed drugs almost for anything. If your head hurts, take an aspirin. You’re sad? Take a Prozac! If you are having problems in bed… Viagra. We can formally group the things that society expects from drugs in four:<\/span><\/p>\n