I think you're assuming a lot of things there. I didn't see anyone suggest drugs can compensate for a good sound diet. I agree with you that by and large America is overly medicated and also in very poor physical condition. 3 out of every 5 americans is clinically obese, and this is what causes most of the health problems in this country. As a result the american public is quite ready to accept that there is some sort of magic pill that can save them from having to actually exercise to stay in good health.
You're right about Western medicine in that the only thing they are primarily concerned with is putting band aids on wounds - which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If I get hit by a truck, I'm pretty glad the trauma center is just a Life-Flight away. However, the focus on preventative care that alternative forms of medicine is also as sound to a point.
Simply because someone publishes a book doesn't mean that it should be taken as fact. There are many citations in the book, but not one study had been documented. Apparantly there are also some gross inaccuracies that discredit the author.
Remember...there are just as many studies that refute a claim as there are ones that support it. And just because you're calling hooey on a fad diet doesn't mean you're against alternative medicine
another side of the story
my dos centavos