The Flexner Report: How It Changed Healthcare and Led to a Pharma-Driven System
- Xenia
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
What Was the Flexner Report?
In 1910, Abraham Flexner published the Flexner Report, a groundbreaking document that reshaped the U.S. healthcare system. Commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation, the report aimed to standardize medical education by closing down poorly run schools and promoting a scientific, research-based approach to medicine. While this led to improvements in medical training, it also had lasting negative consequences—especially for homeopathic, osteopathic, and natural medicine practitioners. The shift paved the way for a pharmaceutical-driven healthcare system, prioritizing drugs over holistic healing approaches. Are you taking too many drugs and are not feeling better? Reach out to Xenia, your go to functional medicine provider in Austin, Texas to discuss how functional medicine can help you!
How the Flexner Report Changed Medicine
Prior to the report, homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, and herbal medicine played a significant role in the healthcare landscape. Many medical schools offered diverse approaches to healing, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural treatments.
However, the Flexner Report advocated for a model based solely on allopathic medicine, favoring pharmacology and laboratory research. As a result:
Over 50% of medical schools shut down – Many institutions teaching alternative medicine were deemed "unscientific."
Homeopathy and herbal medicine were marginalized – Once widely accepted, these practices were dismissed as "quackery."
Medical education became exclusive and expensive – Training was now limited to wealthy, elite institutions, disproportionately affecting women and minorities.
Pharmaceutical companies gained control – With medicine shifting toward drug-based interventions, pharmaceutical companies began influencing medical training and treatment protocols.
The outcome? A profit-driven healthcare system where pharmaceuticals became the first line of treatment, while preventative and holistic care were largely ignored.
The Rise of Pharma-Driven System and Medicine
With the elimination of natural and integrative medicine from mainstream medical education, Big Pharma gained unprecedented influence over healthcare. Doctors were trained to focus on symptom management rather than addressing the root cause of diseases.
As a result:
Medications replaced lifestyle-based healing – Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity skyrocketed.
Patients became dependent on long-term pharmaceutical treatments – Instead of addressing diet, stress, and toxicity, people were prescribed lifelong medications.
Preventative medicine was ignored – The system discouraged practices like nutrition therapy, detoxification, and herbal medicine, leading to a sicker population.
This shift also gave rise to a healthcare industry focused on profits rather than true healing, as chronic illness became a multi-billion dollar business.
Have People Gotten Sicker Since the Flexner Report?
The statistics speak for themselves:
Chronic disease has skyrocketed – Before the 20th century, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer were rare. Today, they are among the leading causes of death.
Obesity and metabolic disorders have increased – Processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and a lack of focus on holistic health have led to a nationwide health crisis.
Polypharmacy is the norm – Many Americans over the age of 50 take multiple medications daily, often treating side effects caused by other drugs.
Rather than focusing on disease prevention, holistic health, and root-cause medicine, the Flexner-inspired system turned healthcare into a reactive model—one that thrives on keeping patients in long-term treatment cycles.
Moving Back Toward a Holistic Approach
While the Flexner Report shaped modern medicine, many people are now seeking alternative and functional medicine approaches to regain control of their health. Functional medicine, naturopathy, and integrative health are making a comeback as patients demand:
Root-cause solutions instead of symptom management.
Lifestyle-based interventions such as nutrition, stress management, and detoxification.
Less pharmaceutical dependency and more natural healing methods.
Fortunately, many functional medicine providers, like Xenia, are helping people reclaim their health by combining scientific advancements with traditional healing wisdom—something the Flexner Report nearly erased from modern medicine.
The Need for a Balanced Healthcare Approach
The Flexner Report led to a medical system dominated by pharmaceuticals, sidelining holistic and preventative care. While it improved medical education, it also contributed to a rise in chronic disease and medication dependency.
To truly achieve optimal health, we must shift back to a balanced approach that integrates the best of modern medicine with holistic, natural healing practices.
Interested in functional medicine and a root-cause approach to health? Reach out to Xenia, a functional medicine provider in Austin to get started.
Book a consultation today and start your journey to real healing!
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