First Do No Pharm: Uncovering the Root Cause of a Broken Healthcare System

As chronic disease rates reach unprecedented levels and health solutions are increasingly reduced to prescriptions, the documentary First Do No Pharm dares to ask a critical question: Is our healthcare system truly serving the people, or has it been hijacked by profit-driven corporations? I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Aseem Malhotra, the driving force behind this powerful documentary, following its premiere at The Odeon, Leicester Square, London. His unflinching dedication to uncovering the truth behind Big Pharma’s influence on modern medicine could shake the very foundations of the medical community.

For those who have yet to see it, First Do No Pharm is an urgent call to action. It exposes the commodification of our health, revealing how pharmaceutical giants have exploited the medical system for decades, prioritising profits over patient wellbeing. Once you’ve watched the film, you can’t unlearn what you’ve seen. It’s an awakening for anyone who cares about their health and the future of healthcare.

The Dark Side of Big Pharma’s Influence

Despite the glamour that often surrounds the world of pharmaceuticals, the reality is far less polished. Between 2003 and 2016, the top ten drug companies paid a staggering $33 billion in fines for illegal marketing, hiding harmful data, and manipulating clinical trial results. Yet, even these penalties barely scratch the surface of their profits. These companies make more money from the sale of their drugs than they lose from legal fines. Dr. Malhotra points out that this relentless pursuit of profit meets the clinical definition of psychopathy: a callous disregard for others, deceitfulness, and an incapacity for guilt.

In the film, viewers learn that pharmaceutical companies often conduct their own clinical trials and are not required to have their findings independently verified. This shocking lack of oversight means that much of the research that informs medical practices is potentially biased or incomplete. Journals that doctors rely on for cutting-edge information are heavily funded by the very industries they should be scrutinising. In the U.S., where drug companies can advertise directly to consumers, public trust is manipulated, encouraging unnecessary medications and treatments.

In the UK, while direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is not permitted, drug companies have found other ways to influence both doctors and patients. Pharmaceutical representatives, or “drug reps,” frequently visit GP surgeries armed with glossy promotional materials and industry-funded studies that highlight the supposed benefits of their products. These reps are often incentivised to push specific medications, creating an environment where GPs are encouraged to prescribe the latest drugs, even when non-pharmaceutical interventions may be more appropriate. Furthermore, many illnesses are subtly promoted in health articles found in popular magazines and online platforms, often funded or influenced by pharmaceutical companies. These articles can prompt readers to self-diagnose based on vague symptoms, urging them to request specific medications from their GPs. This cycle not only perpetuates over-medication but also shifts the focus away from addressing root causes of health issues, with lifestyle changes taking a back seat to the convenience of a prescription.

Dr. Malhotra, who has spent over 15 years advocating for evidence-based medicine, believes this gross injustice needs immediate attention. “We won’t fix the root cause without addressing the commercial distortions of scientific evidence,” he told me. His hope is that First Do No Pharm will be the wake-up call we desperately need.

Unveiling the Myths: Food, Medicine, and Heart Disease

Dr. Malhotra is no stranger to controversy. His work on statins—drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol—has challenged the mainstream medical consensus. While statins are widely believed to be the cornerstone of heart disease prevention, Malhotra’s research suggests otherwise. “The current approach to prescribing statins is overly simplistic,” he explains. “Cholesterol is not the enemy; lifestyle factors like diet, stress, and inflammation play a far greater role in heart disease.” His studies reveal that for many patients, statins offer minimal benefits and come with risks, including muscle pain, fatigue, and a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

Instead of leaning so heavily on pharmaceuticals, Malhotra advocates for a more holistic approach. “Doctors aren’t trained to look for the root cause of disease,” he explains. “We treat the body like a machine made up of parts, prescribing pills for each malfunction. But this approach is flawed, especially when lifestyle changes could do more than medication ever could.” For Malhotra, the Mediterranean diet—rich in healthy fats, vegetables, and lean protein—is a far more effective tool in the battle against heart disease.

From a young age, Dr. Malhotra’s passion for food and cooking, which began at 16, played a pivotal role in shaping his understanding of health, with his famous chicken curry at the University of Edinburgh becoming a symbol of his belief that nutrition is fundamental to wellbeing—a belief that later fuelled his questioning of traditional medical practices as a junior doctor.

Breaking the Chains of a Flawed System

Dr. Malhotra’s passion for reform goes far beyond statins and heart disease. He highlights three major flaws in modern healthcare: a lack of focus on root causes, poor emphasis on lifestyle and nutrition, and inadequate patient consent. “Doctors are excellent at diagnosing illnesses, but they’re not trained to treat the underlying cause,” he notes. This, combined with an overwhelming reliance on pharmaceuticals, means that many chronic conditions are merely managed, not cured.

The solution, he argues, is simple but not easy: “We could fix the NHS in a year by prioritising lifestyle over prescriptions, holding pharmaceutical companies accountable, and empowering doctors to have honest, informed conversations with their patients.”

Yet, this change is hindered by a deeply ingrained system of greed and corruption. “The pharmaceutical industry controls what information reaches doctors,” Malhotra says, his frustration palpable. “And the truth is, they’re not interested in preventing disease. Prevention doesn’t sell drugs.”

The Courage to Speak Up

Throughout his career, Dr. Malhotra has faced numerous challenges. He has been vilified by colleagues, faced legal action, and endured threats. Yet, his resolve remains unwavering. “It’s not just about my work,” he tells me. “This is about giving people the tools to take back control of their health and demanding a better healthcare system.” His bravery is not without personal sacrifice, but he firmly believes that First Do No Pharm can ignite a movement for change.

His passion for this cause is contagious, and his willingness to speak truth to power has garnered him both admiration and scorn. As he prepares to present the film at the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill, one can’t help but wonder: Could this be the tipping point that finally forces the medical establishment to rethink its relationship with Big Pharma?

A Call to Action: Watch the Film, Share the Message

Dr. Malhotra’s final words to me were a call to action: “If we have something to say, then silence is a lie. Knowledge without action is vanity. And action without knowledge is insanity.” The truth is now in our hands, and it’s up to us to act on it.

First Do No Pharm isn’t just a film; it’s a movement. It challenges us to question the status quo, to seek the truth, and to fight for a healthcare system that puts people before profits. Dr. Malhotra’s work reminds us that the battle for health is not just one fought in hospitals and clinics—it’s a fight against a system that has lost its way.

I urge you to watch First Do No Pharm and, more importantly, share it. Discuss it with your family, your friends, and your doctors. Make your voice heard and demand a healthcare system that serves us all. We are at the beginning of what could be the most significant healthcare revolution of our time.

In Dr. Malhotra’s words, “Wisdom without courage is fruitless.” Let this film be the courage we need to take back control of our health and create a future where truth, not profits, guides medical care.

Watch the film, join the movement, and be part of the change that could reshape healthcare forever.

For more information and to watch the documentary visit nopharmfilm.com and become part of the conversation that could change everything.