Feeling depressed? Well why not pop a Prozac. Problems in the bedroom? You could always try Viagra. Seriously overweight? Then fight that flab with some Xenical.

These days there seems to be a miracle cure for every health problem, all you have to do is swallow a pill.

Anti-depression drug Prozac is 10 years old this week. Approximately one million people in the UK take the drug that is said to have revolutionised the treatment of clinical depression.

Also this week, doctors have been permitted to prescribe impotence cure Viagra on the NHS. However, it will only be given to people with certain physical or psychological conditions. Click here for more details

Is it right to rely on medicine to make your life better? Should we be looking at other ways to improve our well-being?

Doctors routinely prescribe Prozac to patients who show signs of major depression, because it is seen as the safest and most effective way of tackling depression.

But critics of the wonder drug raised fears that it would be used by people wanting a "quick fix" and were not suffering from clinical depression.

The NHS may be keeping costs down by only offering Viagra to those with certain medical problems, but you can still get it privately.

Many doctors say that most cases of impotence are caused by psychological problems, so perhaps a spot of therapy is in order instead of the little blue pills?

What do you think?

Do we rely too much on miracle cures?

Your reaction in full

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©