Brian Rogers, the Director of Ashvin Medicara, embodies resilience, redemption, and an unwavering commitment to advocating for accessible healthcare. Born and raised in Ohio, United States of America, Brian’s journey has spanned continents, immersing him in diverse cultures and healthcare systems, enriching his understanding of global healthcare challenges. Moving his residence overseas in his early 20’s Brian has experienced life and healthcare in not only multiple countries around the globe but multiple continents.
A Journey of Discovery and Recovery:
Brian’s early career in pharmaceutical consulting was only one chapter in a life filled with profound challenges and remarkable achievements. Open about his past struggles, Brian battled substance abuse, including anabolic steroids and various illegal drugs, in his quest for weight loss solutions. His journey through addiction and recovery has been long and arduous but marked by over 30 years of sobriety, a feat he attributes to the grace of a higher power. Brian’s eclectic faith draws from Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more, reflecting his belief in a divine gift that has played a crucial role in his continued sobriety and survival.
Transformative Experiences:
Once burdened by obesity, Brian dramatically transformed his health, eventually competing in triathlons and Ironman competitions. This personal transformation from obesity to peak physical fitness symbolizes his belief in second chances and the power of persistence. Raised in a family of educators, Brian initially strayed from the educational path, only to rediscover his passion for teaching later in life. Today, he uses his extensive experiences—both failures and successes—as powerful teaching tools.
In the world of online forums and pharmaceutical discussions, many moderators and drug producers remain nameless and faceless, leaving their true credentials and expertise in question. They might preach about fitness and proper nutrition without any personal experience, or discuss drug addiction without ever having battled it themselves. Some may offer advice on weight loss without ever having faced the challenge, or speak on bodybuilding without lifting a weight. Brian, however, is different. He speaks from experience. Brian knows the Indian pharmaceutical marketplace inside and out, understands the intricacies of bodybuilding, has firsthand knowledge of addiction, and has successfully navigated the journey of weight loss. Brian doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the walk.
Advocacy Born from Personal Experience:
Brian’s approach to education and advocacy is deeply personal. He speaks from a platform of experience, having navigated the dark roads of addiction, health struggles, and the intricate world of pharmaceuticals. His mission is to ensure that no one else has to walk through life as blindly as he did when it comes to understanding healthcare options.
A Personal Tragedy:
Brian’s mother’s battle with cancer highlights the failures of the American healthcare system. Her initial complaints of severe back pain were repeatedly dismissed or inadequately addressed by a succession of healthcare providers. It was only at a very advanced stage that her pain was correctly diagnosed as cancer, by which time her condition had deteriorated drastically. Despite being told she had up to a year and a half to live, she succumbed to the disease just a few months later, enduring excruciating pain. Her final days were marred by aggressive, yet futile, medical interventions that seemed more focused on generating bills than easing her suffering. This painful experience has left a lasting impact on Brian, cementing his critical view of a healthcare system that, in his eyes, prioritizes profit over patient welfare.
The Personal Cost of Advocacy:
Brian’s commitment to promoting generic medications has caused a significant rift within his family, illustrating the deep divisions surrounding this issue. His steadfast support for generic pharmaceuticals from India starkly contrasts with the views of his brother-in-law, Todd B., who works for 3M in Minnesota. Todd’s strong biases against Indian generics reflect a broader stigma often associated with generic medications and their countries of origin. This situation underscores the pervasive elitism within corporate America, where affluent individuals who can afford expensive medications often oppose broader access to affordable alternatives. The underlying issue is not merely about the efficacy of FDA-approved American medicines but about economic disparities and a lack of empathy towards those who struggle to afford healthcare. This elitist attitude, reminiscent of Marie Antoinette’s “let them eat cake” mentality, highlights a disturbing disregard for the needs of the less fortunate, perpetuating a system that favors the wealthy at the expense of the marginalized.
Confronting Failure and Doing Wrong:
Brian admits he hasn’t always followed the rules. He has taken anabolic steroids, even brewed his own, and is well-acquainted with steroid manufacturers from Asia to India. He has served as a moderator on bodybuilding and steroid forums on Reddit and other bulletin boards. Brian understands how shills and paid memberships work for firms trying to market on these forums. His work in anabolic steroids took him to work as consulting for online pharmaceuticals where he fully realized the complete control Big Pharma and the US government have over a persons ability to obtain healthcare. Now he wants to try to provide some good to the world, and make the world a better place for atleast a few.
He acknowledges that many of his life choices are not admirable and won’t earn him a place in heaven. However, to truly know what is right and good, one must understand what is bad and wrong. If you do not do wrong, admit you have done wrong, then how can you know what you speak is the truth or right? Brian believes that those who consider themselves pious and without fault are often the worst sinners causing the most damage to others. By exposing the wrongs he knows, Brian is making amends with his personal faith to make peace with his higher power. He stands up for what he knows is right, including advocating for affordable, quality pharmaceuticals from India. This commitment drives his relentless pursuit of healthcare reform and education.
Brian understands that by advocating for affordable generic pharmaceuticals, he is making himself a target for the powerful alliance of big pharma and the US government, who seek to obstruct public access to accurate information about generic and cost-effective medicines. On the flip side, he is acutely aware that many criminal online pharmacies, online forums that make their money by telling lies and misleading people down dangerous roads, and unsafe and dangerous manufacturers will resist his efforts. This awareness is not abstract; he has already received threats directed at himself and his family. Despite these challenges, Brian is committed to educating the public, seeing this as a way to make amends and seek redemption. His stance has strained relationships with his sister, niece, and other family members, who now consider him persona non grata. Brian has come to terms with the fact that his dedication to truth and transparency will attract punishment from many, including government entities. Nevertheless, he finds solace in his faith, believing that his mission is righteous, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to speak the truth.
Groundwork in India:
Before starting Ashvin Medicara, Brian traveled to India and engaged directly with numerous pharmaceutical producers, drop shippers, vendors, and more. He informed them that he was leaving the pharmaceutical business and would be working to promote Indian shops. Brian made it clear that he would expose middlemen who were exploiting customers and shills on forums misleading consumers. His goal was to ensure transparency and promote integrity in the pharmaceutical industry.
Leadership at Ashvin Medicara:
At Ashvin Medicara, Brian channels his personal grievances and professional expertise to dismantle the barriers preventing access to affordable medications and to advocate for a healthcare system that truly cares for its people. His mission is rooted in a blend of personal empathy and an expansive understanding of global healthcare dynamics.
Brian Rogers’s extensive experiences as a patient, healthcare consultant, and bereaved son have equipped him with a comprehensive perspective on the shortcomings of healthcare systems, particularly in the United States. His leadership at Ashvin Medicara is driven by a commitment to ensuring that others do not suffer as his family did, advocating for accessible, affordable, and compassionate healthcare.
A Personal Message from Brian
I have been sober for 30 years, and I owe my sustained sobriety to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the unwavering support of those in the program. I openly admit my powerlessness over alcohol and consistently seek the guidance of my higher power to maintain my sobriety. It is only by the grace of this higher power, who holds my hand and guides me, that I have been able to stay sober.
Those who have walked into AA programs often come from rock-bottom, having faced and committed wrongs, known evil, and experienced despair. By staying sober, we gain a profound understanding of what is good and right, surpassing many who present themselves as righteous men and women. Only those who have walked a path like mine can truly understand and judge me, as I have no peers who share my unique journey.
It is not about being perfect; it is about trying to do better each day and staying sober each moment. My family cannot understand the depths of my struggle, my friends cannot understand; only my higher power and I can understand, and I put my faith in Him to keep me trying to do better. I know I am not perfect even today, but I strive to do no harm to innocent people each day. If I do harm an innocent, I try to make it right.
For those who seek redemption and those who seek to redeem themselves, they can. No one is perfect, but those who have seen and danced with the devil are some of the most powerful people in the world because they control themselves when no one else could. We understand the depths of despair and the value of striving for goodness and righteousness.
No matter who you pray to, may you all have a blessed day.
