Why Don’t More GPs Prescribe Omega-3s?
The importance of omega-3s has been widely documented in the media over the past few years; it can help delay the onset of dementia, prevent heart disease, alleviate symptoms associated with ME/CFS, treat learning difficulties, and cure mental disorders such as depression. Why, then, do doctors not recommend this immensely important fatty acid? Why do most GPs only prescribe pharmaceutical drugs with adverse side effects? According to Dr Andrew Stoll, in his bestselling book The Omega-3 Connection, many doctors are unaware of the substantial benefits of supplementing with omega-3s; indeed, he goes on to suggest that since omega-3 fish oils are readily available as over-the-counter dietary supplements and are therefore not promoted by pharmaceutical companies, they are often dismissed.
Dr Stoll expands on this theory by explaining the use of patents; big pharma companies can spend hundreds of millions of pounds developing and patenting new drugs (the patent prevents any copies for 20 years), however, only completely original substances can be patented. Given that omega-3s are naturally occurring substances, and have been available for decades, generally they cannot be protected by patents, which removes their profit potential, given the rigorous clinical testing which would be needed to licence them as medicines. Thus, pharmaceuticals are likely to continue to market their own drugs to doctors.
The good news, however, is that Vegepa, which is used successfully to treat a multitude of conditions from depression to ME/CFS, is now being prescribed by a number of doctors who recognise the vast benefits of supplementing with omega-3s. Vegepa, unlike most other omega-3 supplements, holds a patent because of its unique formulation; it also does not contain DHA like the majority of alternatives available, only EPA (scientific reasoning behind this can be found here). Whilst some doctors will still scoff at more natural alternatives to drugs, more and more are becoming aware of the virtues of evidence-based natural supplements, and are willing to prescribe them to their patients. If you are currently taking, or would like to take, Vegepa for a specific condition, why not approach your GP? We can supply you with a Doctor-Patient pack that contains relevant scientific information for your doctor so they can further understand how Vegepa can help you. For more information, or to request a Doctor-Patient Pack, please call us on 0845 1300 424. If you require information regarding whether or not Vegepa is right for you, please contact our nutrition scientist Dr Nina Bailey at ninab@igennus.com.
