Whose Body Is It Anyway?

Examines the effects of advertising, for both prescription drugs and over-the-counter products, in creating the self-perpetuating belief that there must be a chemical answer for every problem. Notes the negative psychological attitude found in medical patients, who feel cheated if they leave their doctor without a prescription, and indicates that one quarter of the drugs prescribed today are tranquilizers. Discusses the importance of comparing the cost and quality of different drugs, the risks versus the benefits of using drugs, and the patient's responsibities and rights.