The inability to use traditional payment methods like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and Venmo for purchasing affordable generic pharmaceuticals from India has inadvertently given rise to the use of cryptocurrency. This shift is not a result of criminal activity but a response to regulatory and corporate obstacles. This article explores how the blockage of normal payment channels has led to increased use of cryptocurrency, and how this shift impacts public perception and access to healthcare.
The Role of Payment Blockades
Influence of Big Pharma and LegitScript
Big Pharma, with the aid of organizations like LegitScript, exerts significant influence over payment processors. LegitScript provides certification for online pharmacies, and payment processors rely on this certification to approve or deny transactions. This results in a blockade for online pharmacies selling affordable generic medications from India, as these pharmacies often do not meet LegitScript’s stringent and Big Pharma-influenced criteria.
Impact on Consumers
When consumers are unable to use familiar payment methods, it creates a perception that purchasing these medications is unsafe or illegal. This perception is far from the truth; rather, it is a strategy by Big Pharma to maintain high drug prices by limiting competition from more affordable generics.
Rise of Cryptocurrency
A New Payment Solution
Cryptocurrency has emerged as an alternative payment solution, allowing consumers to bypass traditional payment processors. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum provide a decentralized method of transaction that is not subject to the same regulatory constraints as credit cards or PayPal.
Changing Public Perception
The use of cryptocurrency is often associated with illicit activities due to its anonymous nature. However, in the context of purchasing medications, it is a practical response to artificial barriers imposed by payment processors influenced by Big Pharma. The stigma surrounding cryptocurrency payments for pharmaceuticals is a deliberate effort to maintain control and discourage alternative payment methods.
The Reality of Cryptocurrency Payments
Legitimacy and Security
Cryptocurrency transactions are secure and legitimate. Blockchain technology ensures that transactions are transparent and immutable, providing a high level of security for consumers. Reputable online pharmacies accepting cryptocurrency maintain rigorous quality control standards and comply with international regulations.
Breaking the Chains of Big Pharma
By using cryptocurrency, consumers can access affordable generic medications without being subject to the monopolistic practices of Big Pharma. This shift empowers individuals to take control of their healthcare expenses and makes essential medications more accessible.
Conclusion
The blockade of traditional payment methods for purchasing affordable generic pharmaceuticals from India is a strategy by Big Pharma to maintain high prices and control over the market. Cryptocurrency offers a viable alternative, allowing consumers to bypass these barriers. It is crucial to recognize that using cryptocurrency for healthcare payments is not inherently criminal; instead, it is a necessary adaptation to overcome unjust obstacles. By embracing cryptocurrency, consumers can access the medications they need at affordable prices, breaking free from the chains of Big Pharma’s influence.
References:
- “Pharmaceutical Industry Lobbying.” OpenSecrets. Retrieved from OpenSecrets.org.
- “LegitScript: The Shadow Regulator.” PharmacyChecker Blog. Retrieved from PharmacyCheckerBlog.com.
- “FDA User Fees and Pharmaceutical Influence.” PubMed. Retrieved from PubMed.
- “Impact of Payment Processor Restrictions on Online Pharmacies.” Journal of Medical Internet Research. Retrieved from JMIR.org.
- “Cryptocurrency in Healthcare: An Emerging Trend.” HealthTech Magazine. Retrieved from HealthTechMag.com.