The question as to whether there is a drug for every malady is a good one indeed. It seems, as someone who has ventured to the doctor when feeling ill, that when I have presented with particular signs and symptoms, the doctor has been more than accommodating in providing me with some pharmaceutical of sorts. There were rare occasions in which the doctor shrugged, empathized, and sent me home empty-handed. And yet, I feel grateful that I've presented with illness that can be treated. Lucky for me.
I am currently taking Integrative Medicine and the topic of study ranges from Infectious Disease to Oncology, to Pediatrics. Discussed in class today was Hepatitis, as an example. Although there are immunizations for Hep B, one cannot be protected from Hep C. And treatment? Minimal. Sounds as though it's a "wait and watch" phenomenon, and hope that the acute phase does not remain in the system longer than 6 months, before becoming chronic. Inferon is the drug used to counteract the virus, and the side effects are so severe (similar to influenza) that the patient does not feel good health, but is laid up with a false-flu. So, although there is an anti-viral class of drugs available, it does not guarantee remission, nor any further viral discourse.
Clinical experience has also afforded me the exposure to various illnesses in which patients are venturing into TCM, because Western medicine has offered no alternative. In that sense, there are not drugs for everything...it just seems that way.
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