Everything I Know About Health I Learned from My Pharmacist

EoR recently had occasion to peruse a selection of health information pamphlets from a local pharmacy. He is now concerned about the misinformation, lack of information, and disinformation promulgated in these propaganda pieces.

One pamphlet promotes a huge variety of Infant and Baby Woo 'relief' potions without any specified ingredients (except for the one that has echinacea - that well known placebo substitute).

Another spruiks the powers of hypnotherapy from

One of the leading clinical hypnotists

who also believes in reflexology, the mozart effect, chakras and reiki. EoR did, however, enjoy the testimonial for the healing powers of this gentleman from a Queensland woman who is described as

sufferer of Fibromialgia, Chronic Fatigue, Arthritis, Migraines, Stress, Anxiety Disorder, Depression etc, etc.

Sounds like she's been through the Hypochondriac's Dictionary from A to Z, and should be put down immediately to relieve her distress. She fulminates:

They work, they work, they really work.

EoR, however, is a bit concerned about the other testimonial that states

I have only been listening for two and half weeks and already I have grown nails.

EoR hasn't been listening for two and half weeks and he too has grown nails. Could it be a homeopathic-sympathetic
effect?

EoR also enjoyed the stunning ORAC (whatever that is - it seems to have nothing to do with Respectful Innocence) chart for Magic Zambroza Fruit Juice. Shame there's no indication what the y-scale is actually measuring, nor what the units of measurement are. Woo-units, perhaps? But a scientific looking graph is always impressive, and sure to please. And, of course, Magic Zambroza Fruit Juice scores higher than anything else, in whatever it is they might be measuring. Maybe it's profit margin.

EoR is also now aware that trampolining leads to an increased lifespan.

Do pharmacies still sell things like aspirin? Or do you have to ask for it "under the counter"?

The 17th February edition of Australian Doctor includes a report on "Pharmacists warned over 'dubious' health products":

Pharmacists have been warned they risk sacrificing their professional reputation by peddling 'dubious' products to the public. Last week president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Mr Brian Grogan admitted he was particularly concerned by pharmacists offering a so-called liquid oxygen supplement called Oxygen 4 Life.. [...] According to its makers [...] the product is made from 100% natural ingredients and has "no GI, no calories, no kilojoules and no carbohydrates".

EoR is pleased to see someone in the pharmaceutical profession is taking a stand, but his local pharmacy still has a resident naturopath and a homoeopath.