You raise a good point by highlighting that this book focuses on British examples (not to mention provide really nice links!).
However, I think the most important lesson in this book and other publications like it, is not in its specifics, but in its general message.
Too many people blindly trust pharmaceuticals, too many don't even consider them "drugs", because "drugs are bad" but pharmaceuticals are good. Books/Articles/etc like this are essential if people are ever going to realize that just because a doctor hands them a pill, it doesn't mean that pill is safe.
The lazy and apathetic will never shift their focus, but hopefully books like these will inspire more people to do their own research before popping an unknown,name-branded chemical into their mouths.
All it takes is a google search of "Active Ingredients of 'X'", and then five minutes of searching "Side Effects of 'X'", or "Interactions with 'X'" to prevent potentially harmful ingestion.
However, I think the most important lesson in this book and other publications like it, is not in its specifics, but in its general message.
Too many people blindly trust pharmaceuticals, too many don't even consider them "drugs", because "drugs are bad" but pharmaceuticals are good. Books/Articles/etc like this are essential if people are ever going to realize that just because a doctor hands them a pill, it doesn't mean that pill is safe.
The lazy and apathetic will never shift their focus, but hopefully books like these will inspire more people to do their own research before popping an unknown,name-branded chemical into their mouths.
All it takes is a google search of "Active Ingredients of 'X'", and then five minutes of searching "Side Effects of 'X'", or "Interactions with 'X'" to prevent potentially harmful ingestion.