I used to ponder about the relationship between physician and drugs designer as well, so I completely understand where you are coming from. However, I believe eradicating or improve this relationship which is truly toxic to the patient will never fully be accomplished. It all boils down to the nature of humanity as a whole. We tend to make profits from others, not by lack of sympathy for them but by greed for ourselves. Especially in the case of the USA, where costumer attraction tends to overcrowd quality of service. I am going to reference other medical routes different from the common allopathic medicine. I am originally from a very nature-driven country in Africa. I have seen people being treated for cancer with nothing but herbal medicines. The goal of “Traditional medicine”, as it is commonly called, is to completely eradicate a problem whereas allopathic medicine tends to eliminate the symptoms prompting patients to ultimate return back or future hospitalization when they symptom resurface. Take, for instance, this addiction that we, Americans, have with painkillers. By relying so much on them, under the suggestion of our dear physicians, we essentially ignore the root of the problem which might eventually worsen if left untreated for too long. Another medical route, I am interested in is the osteopathic medicine, D.O., These physicians, although highly underrated, have figured the best approach to cure human ailments. Their holistic approach to patient treatments, which include the musculoskeletal system, ensure that not only avoidance of surplus of pharmaceutic drugs which are loaded with side effects, but also a ” natural” and direct way to address the problem.
However, I wouldn’t be so fast as to blame allopathic physicians so rapidly. We, as future engineers, share parts of that blame. Engineers in the Industry tend to be highly driven by profit, as opposed to their counterpart in the Academia. I understand why Industry engineers try to prioritize the development and commercialization of their products for a disease that perhaps a ” natural” form of remedy might exist. Nobody wants to see their years of education result in no check. Sadly, it is life.