Certainly! The pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as “Big Pharma,” plays a critical role in global healthcare by developing and selling life-saving drugs. However, there are growing concerns about the industry’s priorities, with some questioning whether profits take precedence over public health1.
Here are some aspects of the pharmaceutical industry that highlight its darker side:
High Drug Costs and Price Gouging: In 2015, Turing Pharmaceuticals infamously raised the price of its HIV treatment medication from $13.50 to an astonishing $750 per pill. Martin Shkreli, the company’s CEO, faced outrage during a congressional hearing for this unscrupulous move. While some drug costs can be attributed to research and development expenses, this case was different—the HIV treatment had been sold at a lower price for over 50 years prior2.
Monopolies and Evergreening: Pharmaceutical companies often hold patents on newly developed drugs for 20 years. However, some exploit loopholes by making minor changes to medications (known as “evergreening”) to extend patent protections without benefiting consumers. This practice allows them to maintain monopolies on essential drugs2.
Influence and Lobbying: The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is the largest pharmaceutical lobby group in the US. Between 1998 and 2015, it spent over $285 million lobbying public officials. The industry also employs 90,000 sales representatives who use incentives to persuade physicians to prescribe specific drugs2.
Unethical Behavior: Some medical representatives engage in unethical practices, including false claims about drug safety, kickbacks to physicians, off-label promotion (using drugs for unapproved purposes), and unsafe manufacturing processes3.
While the pharmaceutical industry has made significant contributions to healthcare, addressing these issues is crucial to ensure fair practices and prioritize patient well-being over profits. Patients, providers, and regulators must work together to improve regulation and hold the industry accountable2. 🌐💊
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1
pharma-mkting.com
2
ajmc.com
3
emerald.com
4
bing.com
5
arabnews.com
6
en.wikipedia.org
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The Dark Side of Pharma: Generational Impact
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Certainly! The pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as “Big Pharma,” plays a critical role in global healthcare by developing and selling life-saving drugs. However, there are growing concerns about the industry’s priorities, with some questioning whether profits take precedence over public health1.
Here are some aspects of the pharmaceutical industry that highlight its darker side:
High Drug Costs and Price Gouging: In 2015, Turing Pharmaceuticals infamously raised the price of its HIV treatment medication from $13.50 to an astonishing $750 per pill. Martin Shkreli, the company’s CEO, faced outrage during a congressional hearing for this unscrupulous move. While some drug costs can be attributed to research and development expenses, this case was different—the HIV treatment had been sold at a lower price for over 50 years prior2.
Monopolies and Evergreening: Pharmaceutical companies often hold patents on newly developed drugs for 20 years. However, some exploit loopholes by making minor changes to medications (known as “evergreening”) to extend patent protections without benefiting consumers. This practice allows them to maintain monopolies on essential drugs2.
Influence and Lobbying: The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is the largest pharmaceutical lobby group in the US. Between 1998 and 2015, it spent over $285 million lobbying public officials. The industry also employs 90,000 sales representatives who use incentives to persuade physicians to prescribe specific drugs2.
Unethical Behavior: Some medical representatives engage in unethical practices, including false claims about drug safety, kickbacks to physicians, off-label promotion (using drugs for unapproved purposes), and unsafe manufacturing processes
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