On patent medicines (with Tim Harford)

About this episode

This episode discusses the history and impact of Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound, a popular patent medicine that promised various health benefits without evidence.

Today we’re sharing an episode of Cautionary Tales , by Tim Harford. This show concerns Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound - one of the most popular patent medicines of the late 19th century. Mrs. Pinkham’s compound was sold as a “women’s tonic,” ideal for menopause or menstrual pain. The package promised big: "It cures bloating, headaches, nervous prostration, general debility, sleeplessness, depression, and indigestion.” But did it, really? No, it did not. Lydia Pinkham’s compound was the epitome of a cure-all that cured nothing, a secret concoction of herbs and roots and other ambiguous ingredients that promised tremendous benefits without any evidence whatsoever. Eventually, it was outrage over patent medicines like Mrs. Pinkham’s that turned into the creation of the FDA, and the evidence-based medicine we have today. Back next week with a new episode of DRUG STORY! Get full access to Drug Story at www.drugstory.co/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Thomas Goetz

Guest: Tim Harford

Topics covered

• patent medicines
• history of medicine
• women's health
• FDA
• cure-alls

Keywords

• patent medicines
• Lydia Pinkham
• FDA
• cure-all
• women's tonic

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FDA

Products: Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound

Books & works: Cautionary Tales

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