I think the "negative" to it all happens when the Pharma culture starts taking on the mantel of street drug dealer, seeking to create a codependency factor in the people using their products. Ambien for an example, is supposed to be taken nightly, at the same time, etc. etc. I have a dear friend that follows those exact procedures who can no longer get sleep without the drug... he's so psychologically dependent (convinced) that this is the only way he can sleep that the limited physiological affect is all that he requires to become paranoid and reacting just as any addict would, needing his fix. I've seen similar attitudes and reactions by other people when it comes to a variety of treatments, including something as simple as taking an aspirin (or similar) OTC treatment (including vitamins).
Fact is, the U.S. (specifically) has been turned into a hypochondriac nation; even if we think we're ok various ads on the tube convince us that we have some kind of health challenge -- presentations that are questionable when it comes to ethics/morality perspectives... but then, I've not seen many lines that advertisers aren't willing to cross when it comes to pushing ANY sort of product, good or bad (just look at the tobacco industry).
YES, because of medicine and the advancements in all of medical work we are now living much longer than ever (see: Gail Sheehy's book "New Passages" and it's a bit out of date). But I believe this and related successes has given that same culture a "bottom line" sense of incentive when it comes to hustling the consumer and doctor alike; the focus has become more about profits and stock holders than actually helping folks. One massive proof to this is how one can actually find treatments and literal "cures" for numerous forms of cancer as well as other chronic conditions that are not allowed in the U.S. simply because the AMA don't want it here due to loss revenue and so the FDA doesn't get the "bribes" other drugs do... the political games and lobbying don't get played for these drugs that we find on the "less effective" and on-going "treatment" system way of doing things.
Another side of this same FDA shell game is how certain, previously non-approved drugs and even "dietary supplements" get recycled and then approved; often as a kind of writer to the approval of another treatment, kind of how congressmen & senators create pork in D.C.
Can it all get "fixed"?
Doubtful... that would require the public themselves getting a pair and choosing to live a healthy life vs. believing they have some sort of illness upon which to be co-dependant...
INSERT: Personal Anecdote...
Some years ago, as the AIDs epidemic was first hitting the country (1983-84) I was living in Hollywood and volunteering for the L.A. Center for Living, a kind of day-time drop-n for persons dealing with all forms of chronic as well as mortal illnesses where they could get FREE counseling, meals, physical therapy, etc.
Long story short, I sat in on a group session one day at the encouragement of the counselor leading the group; everyone attending was in the ARC stages of AIDs if not further along.
The counselor started the session by placing a simple Tic-Tac breath mint in the hand of each attendee gathered about the room, informing them that "This is it... the cure for AIDs! If you take this miracle pill you will no longer be dealing with the lethargy, nausea, lesions, and other conditions associated with HIV; you will be healthy and "normal", fully capable of getting on with life...
"Before you take this miracle cure however, consider everything you have right now at your disposal and ponder if you are willing to give all that up; the free transportation, free show tickets, free massages, free food, free therapy -- you'll have to give up all of these advantages, go back to work, start paying full rent again, buying and preparing your own food, keeping your apartment clean and fit on your own... you will have all the responsibilities and obligations every other functioning human being has..."
A near deafening silence filled the room as the realization took hold on everyone present -- just how addicted and dependent they were on the illness itself; how it had become a thing of advantage vs. the grotesque negative rife with high drama they kept envisioning.
This was a priceless demonstration as to how, especially in this country, people "need" to be ill and why. It is something the money chasers of the medical industry have known for decades and have, in the past 30 years, become exceptional aggressive over, when it comes to exploiting said syndrome for the sake of stock-holder benefit. This is the common denominator few pay attention to when in this kind of discussion and one that helps pale the would-be predatory antics of the Pharma industry to some degree. They are, after all, supplying what the public demands.. .though they are likewise inventing excuses for the public to demand this or that... it's quite an interesting cycle