Question

Module 2 Discussion Questions: For women's health and wellness

1. Explain atleast two methods and activities a woman can use to help protect herself against health-related fraudulent practices/consumer quackery?

2. Why do you feel it is important for a woman to be able to protect herself from these sorts of things? Explain.

 

Answer 1

Health quackery and fraudulent consumer practices are fraudulence are looming large. According to the World Health organization, 50% of individuals across the globe are victims of quackery. Unfortunately, a large number of women fall prey to these quakeries. Quackery is a fraudulent medical practice wherein an unqualified person would pose himself as a medical practitioner who would refer (I cannot use prescribe here) that cause irreparable damage to the internal organs.

Especially in the age of Interest, it's a cakewalk for equals to get in touch with the vulnerable women who are in need of a quick remedy, which could be an immediate over the counter drug or a food supplement that could cure the ailment.

Most of the food supplements and nutritional powders that are freely available at the departmental stores claim to do benefit to the body but in reality no one actually knows its positive sides as they are not approved by FDA.

Here are 2 ways for women to protect themselves from quals:

I. To refrain from approaching anyone-in person or on telephone-who would appear on television or internet and pose himself as a healing practitioner and alternative medical practitioner who suggest alternate medicines or herbal products. It is strictly advisable for women not to fall in the trap of herbal remedies, even if it has to deal with topical treatment such as lotions etc.

2. Counterfied medicines often come in poor packing and they are easily breakable. If you suspect that you have a counterfeit medicine, they need to rush to the nearby pharmacist and get it checked as he would be the right person to say if the medicine she is having was genuine or not. Alternatively, women can call the FDA toll free number that's available on their website.

It is important for women to protect from these counterfeit medicines as they are the easy suspect. Often women have some minor physical complaints due to hormonal changes, during menstrual cycles and during early pregnancy. They are often in search of fast medicine to relieve the pain and uneasiness. Also, women are at risk of having low calcium levels compared to men and low calcium would result in nausea and lethargy. To overcome these generic condition, they may search for alternate remedies on Internet, a place where quacks target women. Secondly, some women are obsessed with their external appearance and want to try all the possible products to ensure their skin is glowing. For this purpose, they may not hesitate to try some lotions and herbal supplements that can have devastating effe