I try not to challenge any doctors' decisions regarding prescribed medicines during times of illness. I'm not a doctor, but I try to rely on my intuition and common sense. Before I go to the pharmacy I use old natural medicines and homemade syrups tried and tested by my mum and grandma. I avoid doctors who give out antibiotics too freely.

I don't dispute the necessity of taking medicine during illness. Even if we believe in natural medicine, sometimes we have to take drugs, as it is the only way to get better. Sometimes we also need dietary supplements, because, at our latitude, especially at the end of winter and beginning of spring, it is difficult for the body, as it has to pull on its reserves and we don't have a chances to get fresh vitamins and microelements. Although supplements aren't an alternative to good nutrition, they do have positive effects.

It is a frightening fact that the drug industry convinces us that "pills are good for everything". Adverts tout pills for joints, liver, muscles, memory... Self-care, diet, exercise and fresh air are put on the back burner. People are inherently lazy, so instead of making an effort they choose the soft option and take a drug. Neither our bodies nor our wallets can stand so many drugs.

Fortunately, my children can take vitamins and drugs without complaining. I have never had any need to hide drugs in food. I remember from childhood that medicine tasted more or less disgusting and nobody marvelled at this. The only tasty product from the pharmacy was effervescent vitamins. We ate them dry and on the quiet, because that way they had a more intense taste. True medicine was meant to heal not taste nice. Today the situation has changed. The drug industry and pharmacies entice us with fruit-flavoured, beautifully coloured products, which resemble drugs less and less. Our children get mixed messages. On the one hand we say "this is medicine, you must not take it by yourself", but on the other hand the taste, the shape and texture contradict this. In my opinion, the worst example of this lack of consistency is Coca-Cola flavoured syrup. In what way should this flavour be seen as an incentive to take medicine?

The line between medicine, which should help us, and sweets is dangerously blurred. Throat lozenges of all flavours and vitamins in the shape of sweet fish, bears and jellies are hard for children to resist. Are we raising young people who are addicted to medicine? Don't the sweet colourful drugs cause us to reach for them more gladly and more often than is necessary for our health?