Williams, Simon J. (Simon Johnson), 1961-, Martin, Paul and Gabe, Jonathan. (2011) The pharmaceuticalisation of society? A framework for analysis. Sociology of Health & Illness, Vol.33 (No.5). pp. 710-725. ISSN 0141-9889

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Abstract

Drawing on insights from both medical sociology and science and technology studies this article provides a critical analysis of the nature and status of pharmaceuticalisation in terms of the following key dimensions and dynamics: (i) the redefinition or reconfiguration of health 'problems' as having a pharmaceutical solution; (ii) changing forms of governance; (iii) mediation; (iv) the creation of new techno-social identities and the mobilisation of patient or consumer groups around drugs; (v) the use of drugs for non-medical purposes and the creation of new consumer markets; and, finally, (vi) drug innovation and the colonisation of health futures. Pharmaceuticalisation, we argue, is therefore best viewed in terms of a number of heterogeneous socio-technical processes that operate at multiple macro-levels and micro-levels that are often only partial or incomplete. The article concludes by drawing out some broader conceptual and reflexive issues this raises as to how we might best understand pharmaceuticalisation, based on our analysis, as a framework for future sociological work in this field.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Drugs -- Social aspects -- Great Britain, Pharmaceutical industry, Social medicine -- Great Britain, Drug utilization -- Great Britain, Health behavior -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Sociology of Health & Illness
Publisher:	Blackwell
ISSN:	0141-9889
Date:	July 2011
Volume:	Vol.33
Number:	No.5
Page Range:	pp. 710-725
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1467-9566.2011.01320.x
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/38683

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