Organization of Spanish Consumers against “medicalization of daily life”
8 May
Last 25th March, OCU joined and signed “Action on Selling Sickness” during a public action in a press conference. The Organization of Spanish Consumers is a private and independent one.
OCU has translated into Spanish the document, and have started a campaign againts “medicalization of daily life” http://www.ocu.org/salud/medicamentos/informe/demasiados-medicamentos/stampa
Notice the Spanish impact in the call for action” after the OCU action http://sellingsickness.com/final-statement/
The OCU organization was created in 1975; is a non-profit organizationto defend the rights of consumers.
The OCU is not subsidized, but is financed by contributions from its members, currently over 315,000 members. -OCU belongs to “Consumer International” http://www.consumersinternational.org/our-members/member-directory/OCU%20-%20Organisation%20of%20Consumers%20and%20Users%20-%20Organizaci%C3%B3n%20de%20Consumidores%20y%20Usuarios
It is important that consumers associations joint health professionals and health intitutions. See its 3 recommendations for being aware about medicalization and selling sickness. Summary, be aware when:
- Speak only of great benefit without mention the risks or alternatives, where they exist (although they have nothing to do with taking pills).
- Exaggerate the dangers of a health problem or even a risk factor to the point of generating large dose of insecurity and alarm.
- Behind campaign, web, advertisement or any other form of communication that seeks to “inform” about a disease or health problem, is a company that can thereby obtain a direct economic benefit.
