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vegan medicines
I know at this time medicines aren't vegan as they are tested on animals but the campaign for that goes on.
For me being vegan is doing what you can so what do you do if you are ill yet the medication you get from your Dr is covered in gelatine?
I'm fed up of this circle being ill, going to doctor, going to chemist then not being able to take the prescribed meds & still being ill.
I want a campaign to make medicines gelatine, lactose & anything else like that free.
This is not a discussion on whether you think taking medicines is okay, but for those that may require medicine to have them free of animal products & not have to choose between pain of them or an animal x
Views: 4
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dominic Spens on -
This has been touched on a little in another topic where we were talking about the ethics of pharmaciticals from the vegan perspective and what choice do we have? I have to take lots of medication to fight a lung disease I picked up whilst travelling in Latin America, I asked for gellitine free capsules and on one of my meds that was possible, but with the others it wasnt possible, I take the powder out of the capsules and put it in paper (rizlas, rolling papers) and 'bomb them', it isnt an ideal situation and dosnt help with the 'tested on animals' issue but it does cut out the direct animal product.
I advise you to check with your doctor as there are vegan friendly alternatives available, and as for not tested on animals although there are so many reasons why animal testing for medicine shouldnt be allowed, from the obvious animal cruelty to the fact that we're so incompatible to animals (drugs that pass animal testing cause death and birthdefeacts in humans (e.g. Thalidomide which passed all animal tests) and drugs that are 'safe' for humans are leathal to animals (e.g. aspirin is toxic to rats.) we live in a cruel disgusting world where people still think testing on animals for beauty is acceptable let alone pharmacutical testing. unfortunately. -
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Permalink Reply by Tanya Love on -
At this precise moment I'm not bothered by the ethics of big parma, I know they are scum but there are campaigns highlighting that. Anti-vivisection, fair trade & so on, but as far as i'm aware nothing on content that could be changed easily.
You must have had better luck with your doctors than me, I state clearly I am vegan, yet take the prescription to the chemist & they have gelatine. And sometimes when sick its only when you get home read the ingredients & then can't take them anyway. Its a waste of that animals life, its a waste of nhs money, & its not fair for humans to have to choose between taking meds or not because they contain animal products.
Thats what there needs to be a campaign, just which organisation to mail... -
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Permalink Reply by Monick on -
Tanya, I don't know the reason why u using conventional medicine, but have u never thought of natural remedies? the not tested on animals+ don't have animals ingredients...
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Permalink Reply by Tanya Love on
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Because sometimes medicines work.
This isn't a discussion on natural or meds. Its saying that meds shouldn't contain animal products.
I would like to mail an organisation, but can't think of one that would be appropriate.
In meds milk is often used as in food as a filler, because its cheap, where other foods are available other medicines are often not. -
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Permalink Reply by Tanya Love on
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I would like to see an end to animal testing to be replaced by proper science but sadly I can't see that happening anytime in the near future.
However, a campaign to take animal filler products out of medicines, could & should be done relatively easily xx -
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Permalink Reply by Monick on
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I am not sure whether pharm. companies will change the method they produce medicines....It d be great if a pharm. vegan company started business......Why don't u create a petition on Care2? It could be a start....
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Permalink Reply by Tanya Love on
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No big pharm will never change their ways.
Only from people pressure can we make our government make laws they should adhere to.
I'd rather just mail an organisation, but if there isn't one that might be a start, thanks.
I don't see why a vegan company couldn't now produce standard meds, oh 1 reason is they would cost more & pct wouldn't prescribe them. I have that issue if a med I take occasionally - the cheaper version is made by glaxo smikeline, & contains lactose. There is another version but it would cost pct £2 more tablet, so I have have to buy them privately at £6 per tablet, so avoid glaxo & milk products. Its a ridiculous & unfair situation. -
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Permalink Reply by Monick on
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Althought I should have thought about it, I didn't know about medicines not being vegan, as I never use them...(This is why I was talking about natural remedies, as I only use them)....This is defo a problem, also think all the vegan patients in hospitals, where they don't have a choice....Mmmmmmmmhhh, Tanya action is required.....Maybe start contacting the Vegan Society asking what they know about the topic.......
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Permalink Reply by Tanya Love on
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yep, a large % of meds contain lactose as filler & gelatine as coating.
Hate that process of going to the doctor gets meds going to the chemist only to find out I then can't take them, no dr has ever listened unless they just don't know which meds contain what, it is a nightmare!
You then have to choose between staying in pain or being vegan, its unfair x -
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