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Photo Nick Adams/Health Media and Sport Limited. Western model for mainstream healthcare treatments
In the late 19th century the name ‘allopathy’ was originally coined as a term of abuse by members of the homeopathic school of thought [see Natural remedies section] who blamed orthodox medicine of the day as causing much unnecessary suffering in healthy people. The main manufacturers of allopathic medicines in the UK include pharmaceutical companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Lilly, Roche, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson, to name but a few. The medicines are often known by more than one name, a generic name and a brand name. The generic name is the official medical name for the active ingredient of the medicine. The brand name is chosen by the manufacturer, usually on the basis that it can be recognised, pronounced and remembered by health professionals and members of the public. One example would be Viagra, the well–known brand name given by Pfizer to the generic medicine sildenafil.
Infolink: Both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are regular editorial contributors to Communicatormentalhealth.org online and printed magazine. Click and read the MHRA and NICE editorial columns. Infolink: For outstanding work in mental health, Health Media and Sport Limited, publishers of Communicator, was a national finalist and certificate winner in the Lilly Schizophrenia Reintegration Awards. Sources: Wikipedia Encyclopaedia website: www.wikipedia.org | Steadman’s Medical Dictionary website: www.stedmans.com | Taylor’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary | Netdoctor website: www.netdoctor.co.uk. Additional sources of information: Bookshops, on the high street and online, commercial health publishers, manufacturers and providers of health products and services, relevant government departments, NHS organisations and local libraries. Health advice: Always consult with your GP or healthcare professional. From your browser | Email the page | Email the page link | Print the page | Add page to favourites ········································································································································
Handy guide to wellbeing series | For you, family and friends
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In Western culture the phrase ‘allopathic medicine’ is used to describe modern clinical and medical treatments. Other popular names used to describe modern Western medicine are ‘orthodox’ and ‘conventional’.
Medicines, such as these are used by the NHS and available from high street pharmacies, supermarkets and GP surgeries.
National watchdogs of the pharmaceutical industry include the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [MHRA]. MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence [NICE] is the independent organisation responsible for providing guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.