Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2006 | Research
Social and cultural efficacies of medicines: Complications for antiretroviral therapy
Authors:
Sjaak van der Geest, Anita Hardon
Published in:
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
|
Issue 1/2006
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Abstract
Using ethnographic examples of medicine use, prescription, distribution and production, the authors argue that social and cultural effects of pharmaceuticals should be taken into account. Non-medical effects deeply influence the medical outcome of medicine use. Complications around the advent of anti-AIDS medicines in poor countries are taken as a point in case. The authors are medical anthropologists specialised in the social and cultural analysis of pharmaceuticals.