B R I G HT
everyone took that approach we would never
this is certainly not common practice and
manage to regenerate the earth to where it
a significant proportion of the population
needs to be.
wouldn’t even know that animal products are often present in medication, and therefore
We’re not just talking about illegal, recreational
would not know to ask about relevant options.
drugs here. A lot of prescribed or over the counter drugs also contain animal products.
I had an experience several years ago when getting the flu jab - which I’d been getting for
A
study
of
the
100
most
commonly
years as someone more at risk - when the
prescribed drugs in the UK in 2013 showed
nurse asked if I was allergic to eggs, I said
that 74 contained one or more of lactose,
no and before I got to question her on it, the
gelatine, or magnesium stearate - a binding
jab had been done. All those years before I
fat usually derived from beef. Within these,
didn’t have a clue that egg was present which
many did not state that they contained
is actually quite worrying in case I did have
animal products.
an allergy.
Lactose is used most often as a diluent or filler
However despite all this, if someone tries to
in tablets or capsules but also as a carrier
argue that taking medicine isn’t vegan - which
in dry-powder inhalation products. Capsule
I’ve definitely been on the receiving end
painkillers are often coated in gelatine.
of - then they have failed to understand the purpose of the movement and the definition
Some types of oestrogen are derived from
of veganism which is to avoid animal products
animal products, such as Premarin, which is
wherever possible or practical.
used to treat menopausal hot flushes and is made from a pregnant mare’s urine.
So then you might argue why not just do a line of coke and have fun?
Studies have shown that it can be difficult for consumers to determine whether a particular
This is where intersectionality and human
medication contains animal products or not as
suffering come into play. If, as discussed,
there is inconsistency with labeling and what
there is any harm being done to any being -
information is shared. Current EU regulations
human or animal - then ethics would dictate
mean that manufacturers cannot state in
that you would refrain from that practice.
information leaflets if a product is suitable for
Similar to avoiding fast fashion clothes that
vegans or vegetarians as these are seen as
have been produced in sweatshops with
lifestyle choices.
minimal rights for workers.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care
At the end of the day it’s a personal choice
Excellence)
that
but if you are striving to make an ethical and
healthcare professionals should ask patients
environmental impact on the planet perhaps
about preferences and concerns. However,
it’s time to think again before calling the man.
recommendations
state
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