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The book "Empire of Pain" deals with the aggressive marketing of painkillers and the resulting opioid crisis in the USA. It describes the structures and mechanisms that have enabled this development, starting with the doctor Arthur Sackler, who invented the combination of researcher, developer, entrepreneur, marketing expert, and media owner. The Sacklers, a dynasty of super-rich individuals, understood that a medication can only be truly profitable by creating a growing market. The book also emphasizes the role of individuals and small groups in initiating misdevelopments and that the system can only function if many participate or silently tolerate it. [Extracted from the article]

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In this editorial of the Journal of General Medicine, the role of general practitioners in pandemic management is discussed. It is emphasized that general practitioners not only play an important role in individual health problems but are also indispensable in the face of collective health threats. The COVID-19 vaccination is considered a special case among vaccinations, as it does not protect against infection or transmission of the infection. However, complete vaccination provides good protection against severe progression and symptomatic illness. The decision on vaccinating the population does not lie with the doctors but with political and legal authorities. Austria has become the first country worldwide to introduce a general vaccination obligation. The vaccination obligation creates a complex situation as many doctors have problems with it. It is emphasized that doctors do not make vaccination mandatory but only vaccinate those who come to them voluntarily and wish to be vaccinated. It is pointed out that doctors can explain the benefits of vaccination and reduce fears both on a societal level and in individual encounters. It is hoped that Germany can achieve a socially meaningful vaccination coverage in a different way. [Extracted from the article]