Knew pharmaceutical companies were unethical, but just plain crooked?

[Nasty Jack]

There have been no ethics in the pharmaceutical industry for years. Their only concern is profits. An extreme example is Martin Shkreli who acquired the rights to Daraprim, an infectious disease drug, raising the price per pill from $13.50 to $750. Although not typical, this behavior mirrors the act of a company who would fake cancer patients to sell a drug. A company by the name of Insys Therapeutics received approval to sell an ultra-powerful opioid for cancer patients with acute pain but suddenly discovered their market was limited. No problem, "To boost sales, the company allegedly took patients who didn't have cancer and made it look like they did." According to a federal indictment, this was accomplished by, "...falsifying medical records, misleading insurance companies and providing kickbacks to doctors in league with the company." The all-American way to do business in the Donald Trump era. In their deception, employees pretended to be doctors' offices for the purpose of fooling insurance companies to approve the drug. The whole thing is so bizarre but the question is, just how many other pharmaceutical companies are into similar activities? Read more.

[DK504]

1. So how is it we have an opioid epidemic in this country?

[janterry]

2. There's so much to unpack

Yes, it's that bad. There was a book, more than a few years ago - which outlined which college major is recruited to become a drug rep. (the person who pushes the new pills in MD's offices).

Do you want to guess the answer?

Well, it's not a major (I just put that in). It's an activity - they were recruiting (and heavily) cheerleaders.

You know, pretty young women who would lean over the MD's desk (yes, it's a sexist notion - but there you have it) and say: These are great new pills. Surely you want to try these with your patients?

If you want to look at what they do statistically to fudge the numbers, just look at the numbers they wash out of studies because they are 'um' high placebo reactors.