Ethical Dilemma

[T.C.]

I’ve worked at a pharmacy for the last two years. Before I got the job, I didn’t know anything about toxicity and just how horrible the pharmaceutical industry is.

So I’ve been troubled in the past about how unethical my job is and I feel responsible for helping to poison people to make big-pharma lots of money. But I came to a kind of reconciliation. Any of you who’ve read Meetings with Remarkable Men read how Gurdjieff conned people out of money to further his aim by getting common birds and painting their feathers to look like canaries.

My acceptance:

I live in an STO world where we’re surrounded by toxicity and evil. With most jobs here, there’s always going to be something about them that is immoral or poisonous or is infected by psychopathy or is hierarchical in structure and is making someone rich. The job at the pharmacy is stable for the moment and is a good wage and I’m getting more qualifications the longer I work there. So I’ll accept the fact that I have to play by the rules of this reality and keep working there in order to bring in money for food and rent.

What’s distressing is that I’m not in a position to help people by offering them true knowledge of how to get well, because I’ll be fired. I was getting by like this for a while, but today, I had an interaction with someone which has rocked the boat.

A guy came in last week and bought some painkillers – a combination of Ibuprofen, a harmful NSAID, and codeine. Well, he came in again today to buy some more (after I’d told him last time that if he needed to take them for more than three days he needs to see a doctor – it’s my job to tell him that).

I asked him if it was a long term problem and he explained to me that he works in a spray shop, painting cars and he gets headaches now and again. So I explained that the headaches were a symptom of poisoning and he actually seemed interested in what I had to say and seemed like he would be receptive to any advice I could give him.

So I told him about glutathione and how it might help whenever he gets a headache. I wrote down the spelling and a good brand of it, and said he could pick it up on the ebay. He was really grateful and thanked me and said he would come back and tell me if it worked or not.

Well my boss and the pharmacist heard everything and they gave me a dressing down because we’re not allowed to recommend products that aren’t licensed. I could tell that they were both a little upset at having to tell me this because they could tell from what I was saying that the product wasn’t harmful and might really help the guy, but we have to follow company policy and we’re wandering into the region of a sackable offence, which would also come down on the pharmacist because they’re responsible for all sales and advice given in the shop.

So this means that if someone comes into the shop with symptoms of poisoning, I can’t say anything about how to help them and instead I should sell them harmful chemicals to mask the symptoms – i.e. more poisons.

Can I still rely on “My acceptance” that I wrote above? That I have to abide by the rules and boundaries of the general law in order to navigate the black waters of our reality? Because right now… THERE’S NO GOD DAMN WAY I’M GONNA STAND THERE AND KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT WHEN SOMEONE’S BEING POISONED AND I CAN HELP THEM DETOX!

But we know, our emotions can be what drives us to do good, or they can be used against us, making us take actions that may be objectively malefficient for our futures. So what’s happening here? Because I’m seriously thinking that this may be the straw to break the camels back and drive me to change my job.

 

[mkrnhr]

Hello T.C.
First, we are not our jobs. Second, it all depends upon how you strategically use your position. You can be subtle like "my job is to sell you this drug but you may consult a doctor", without having your stupid bosses hearing you of course. You may also suggest an aspirin And something that really helps instead of toxic chemicals.
But, if you deeply consider that this job is detrimental to your Being, so maybe you can think about some other job more suitable for you (without quiting of course).

 

[truth seeker]

It can be really difficult to navigate in such situations. Being strategic would have been a good way to go but now that they have a clue as to your position, you may be watched more closely. I would say that the strategy now may be to consider whether you want to stay there or not. Personally, I would play the game at this point because of what you relayed above and covertly seek other employment. You may still want/need good references from this employer and so that may be a good tactic. You'll also need to consider the job market where you are right now and whether you want to pursue this. Another possibility is to play along in order to gain their trust and then network here in order to figure out better and more strategic options in terms of helping customers.

Also, try to keep in mind whether someone is truly asking for help. Aside from the customer you spoke about, there are many people who prefer to take the "easy" way out via drugs. That is their choice.

Try to keep in mind that we must act in our best interests as often as we can - if you're out of work, you may not be in a position to help as much as you can as when employed. For what it's worth.

 

[theos]

Hi T.C.,

I'm in a similar boat as you. I posted about it in this thread: http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=12587.0.

I now have a job where I don't give any medications at all, which is a big relief for me, but I still "deal" with medications as in discussing them, setting up pill boxes etc. I routinely talk to my patients/clients about nutrition issues and advise on more appropriate food choices (but for the most part they look at me like I'm speaking Chinese when I talk about gluten and dairy) and this is all one - on - with no one looking over my shoulder. Unfortunately, it goes against what their doctors or the nutritionist has been saying to them and what they've been doing all their lives so it doesn't seem to hold much weight with them. I say a bit here and there, try to gauge their interest in making changes but I don't push it. It is their life and their lesson to learn, after all. I don't suggest any specific products to them cause that could get me into trouble if they had a bad reaction --which could just be a detox reaction and not harmful in the long run. I've suggested that they research issues on the net and gave out an article but this seems to be too much work for most people. They are really entrenched in the system and like Truthseeker says, they prefer the "easy" way out via drugs and just do whatever their doctor tells them without question. I frequently have to stop myself from lapsing into the fantasy of being the one to supply the information that leads to someone curing themselves...of being the savior, so to speak.

As you know, it's quite frustrating to watch. It's like watching a crash about to happen with duct tape over your mouth. But it is a good arena in which to practice strategic enclosure. If my employers knew what I really thought about the medical industry and my workplace in particular I'd probably be escorted out.

If you can find something more suitable, go for it but in the meantime keep below the radar.

 

[anart]

If you can find something more suitable, go for it but in the meantime keep below the radar.

I think that's good advice. Are there any holistic or health food stores/pharmacies in your area? Since you already have experience, this might be a good fit. These types of 'integrative' pharmacies are becoming more popular in the states, so perhaps they're in your area as well?

 

[seek10]

Hi T.C.,

I'm in a similar boat as you. I posted about it in this thread: http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=12587.0.

As you know, it's quite frustrating to watch. It's like watching a crash about to happen with duct tape over your mouth. But it is a good arena in which to practice strategic enclosure. If my employers knew what I really thought about the medical industry and my workplace in particular I'd probably be escorted out.

forget about others, I can't even tell the same to my own 5 yr old. when my children come to my house I tell me them about vitamin C , Vitamin D, distilled water etc and encourage them. they are ok with vitamins, but water/milk/pizza stuff is tough to convince. when they go to their mom's house she says tap water is good etc. I generally say indirectly showing some relevant youtube video etc. Now kids are fed up with this. they are saying " you both tell different things, we don't know whom to believe. We believe mom, because you left the house". Not much to say. Well, I have to find some thing safe to add in water which tastes like regular tap water or much better. I used charcoal filter, that didn't work.

 

[Buddy]

Sounds like you've formed a non-negotiable commitment to health in a setting where your job description prohibits its expression and your boss's butt would be in a sling. Perhaps it would be better if you changed to a job without these constraints, since you've already made the warrior's goof of "revealing your strategy" which can now allow you to be defeated.

I've been thinking about stuff like this too about pharmacies. I drive by them and see the signs outside advertising "Get your flu shot here". I walk inside and see a pharmacist giving a flu shot to an elderly customer while both are sitting at a card table in a corner, half surrounded by a privacy screen.

I think about the issue from what I imagine to be the pharmacist's and the customer's point of view. I imagine a likely scenario involving a well-read customer giving the pharmacist hell about promoting a worthless, potentially dangerous injection to ignorant, vulnerable people.

Finally, I wonder what I would do if I were the pharmacist, operating an independent business and having to deal with customers who are ignorant and come in practically demanding a free flu shot because of their doctor's advice. I also wonder how I would deal with customers who are street-wise about the vaccine hoax.

How would I handle all that while trying to make a living, fulfill my responsibilities to my employees, the "law", company policy and deal with customers of various knowledge levels - all while still being competitive and stand in good rapport with customers? After all, there is no 'entitlement' or unemployment compensation if I go out of business.

I finally decide that I would stay on top of all the latest research. I would offer all the preventative treatment and information options I could before offering traditional drugs and vaccines and such. If I use the holistic approach first, that would satisfy the wise ones. If I first offer preventative or treatment advice that is not related to drugs and the customer is interested, everyone benefits. IF someone asks me what I would do IF it were me, I'd be honest and tell them. My unstated position would be that "I'm in the business of health. I'll provide the facts, you bring the prejudice and we'll do business wherever we can reach agreement."

If the customer is so ponerized and buried in the traditional views that nothing but "doctor's orders" is going to be satisfactory to them, then from me, they will get what they ask for without judgment (due to the Prime Directive). But, like a good hunter, I would always be looking for any opportunity to offer the healthier alternative first.

I will still have all the advertising signs up that everyone else does, due to the "business strategic enclosure" but it doesn't mean anything to me because just like the personal strategic enclosure, everything is intended to look 'normal' from the outside.

Just what I'm thinking at the moment, even though this might not be the best thought-out response.

 

[Aaron r]

How do you know that his headaches are from poisoning? It is probably a good guess but you do not really know. You left yourself wide open.

 

[Laura]

I think that remembering that you can only really give when really asked might help. The man with the headache did not ask you for advice or information about detox. Yes, I know that this is putting a fine point on the matter but you can balance that with finding ways to get detox information out in your area. How about printing up some EE flyers and making them available in your area by dropping them off in places where people are likely to pick them up? Or running a small ad with a link to the website in a local marketplace paper of some sort? That is, if you use some of the money you get from this job that you find distressing to counterbalance what the industry is doing, after awhile, it might begin to balance things? An ad that lists toxicity symptoms and then says: "If you suffer from these symptoms, you may have chemical toxicity. Visit http://www.eebreathe.com for information on how to get lasting relief and save your life." You may then actually reach people who are asking.

 

[Gawan]

Visit http://www.eebreateh.com for information on how to get lasting relief and save your life." You may then actually reach people who are asking.

Hello Laura, I liked to ask the question since a longer time (I tried it several times if it just a minor issue that the link is not working, but it seems that it is something bigger), but why does eebreath.com not work anymore?

 

[Mountain Crown]

Hi Legolas,

www.eebreathe.com directs to http://eiriu-eolas.org/

If not, check the spelling of breathe.

 

[SeekinTruth]

Well the link is misspelled. It should be www.eebreathe.com

 

[Gawan]

Hi Legolas,

www.eebreathe.com directs to http://eiriu-eolas.org/

If not, check the spelling of breathe.

Thanks for that, you two. So I misspelled it all the time and forget the -e- and the end. Good to know that there is a tiny difference between -breath- and -breathe-. :)

 

[HiThere]

All you can do is what you did, which is direct the customer towards the possibility that he has a job that probably will poison him in the long run. If the customer chooses to ignore that information, that is his call. You've done all that can be expected and to go further would be to impose your view on these matters over the customers' own view. Can't heal the world, observe and let it go by.

 

[Aaron r]

Hi T.C., there is a couple of issues in your post as I see it. Arbitrarily the first issue is whether you should change your job as you feel that it is against your beliefs. My short answer is, it is up to you. Myself, working as a registered nurse in an acute medical ward, gives medications out like candy. Do I feel conflict in this? Short answer, no. Why? Two reasons. First is I "work" on myself not others. Second is that the mainstream system is what the patient has chosen. I support Sott to crusade against the system and they do a fine job. Saying that does not mean I won't give information to someone sincerely asking.

Second issue as I see it is you ripped a hole in your strategic enclosure in this interaction and it WAS taken advantage of. Hopefully there will be no further ramifications.

If you want to leave your job, fine do it, but do it on your terms.