Recommended Exposing Pharma

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Fixing Pharma to Serve the Public

Pharma like all industries is about maximization of profits, and they are very good at that.  Below is a list of changes to make them serve in the public’s interest.  A measure of a system is to draw upon a set of regulations which would produce medical science in the public’s interest.  Most of the major advancements in medicine came in the 50s through the 70s, before Pharma became the 800 pound gorilla (a phrase used by Marcia Angell).  The increase in corporate influence promoted profits at the expense of innovation. Improvements are mainly a hype. 

 

Marcia Angell, MD & Harvard professor has a wish list to fix pharma on line at http://www.skeptically.org/enlightenment/id21.html.

 

JK’s wish list which would change marketing science into medical science:

Remaking Pharma

 

1). Limit pharma’s activities to manufacturing of drugs, and thus eliminate the sales related activities including advertising, lobbying, influence peddling, and educational activities.

2). The FDA and universities would be responsible for the basic research, clinical trial for drugs. 

3). The FDA would be ran by university professors and researchers who would by selected by their peers.    

4). Medical colleges would set and run basic research and clinical trials, and own the result.  Pharma’s role would be limited to making suggestions. 

5). All Clinical trial results would be available for free over the internet 

6). For FDA approval, heads on-testing of the new drug to the most common treatment, and also placebo controlled study when such is ethical.  Similar requirement for Phase 4 trials, which are for side effects and new indications. 

8)  A system would be set up to resolve important questions about treatments and prevention. 

9).  All laboratory research and trials would be available over the internet in a format that would facilitate access.   

10). Long-term independent monitoring of side effects by independent researchers. His would include open access to all data banks such as of the Veterans hospitals, Kaiser Permanente, HMOs, and Medicare.  Studies using data banks cost less than 1/100th that of a long-term clinical trial.

11). Require the reporting of side effects with incentives and penalties, and have open access to the data.     

12)  Because patents hinder competition thus drive up prices and promote secrecy in research, such patents would not be applied in the domestic market. 

13). Universities and the FDA who do the research can patent the results and then negotiate for a share of the profits from foreign sales.   

14). Key positions in the FDA be filled by researchers without ties to Pharma.

15). Treatment guidelines would be established through medical colleges with the goal of serving the public.

16). The guideline proposal prior to establishment would be publish with a period of open discussion.     

17).  Guidelines would include a cost analysis.

18).. Enforce laws against price gouging and monopoly price fixing.   

19). Because of the fundamental conflict between corporations drive for profits and quality, affordable  health care all hospital would be community hospitals (like there were 50 years ago), and there would be a national single payer system. 

20).  All imported lots of drugs would have quality control testing before marketing and high tariffs to encourage US manufacturing.

21). Medical colleges would not be operated as business, but rather as public services.  They would be run by their faculty.

22). Continuing education class ran by medical colleges. 

23). Special incentive for research into prevention and the dissemination of results. 

 

 “The pharmaceutical industry is the most lucrative, the most cynical and the least ethical of all the industries," Dr. Philippe Even tells The Guardian. "It is like an octopus with tentacles that has infiltrated all the decision-making bodies:  world health organizations, government agencies, parliaments, high administrations in health and hospitals and the medical profession." Author of "The Guide to the 4,000 Useful, Useless or Dangerous Medicines" 4   guide des 4000 médicaments utiles inutiles ou dangereux au service des malades et de praticiens Bernard Debre director of the prestigious Necker Institute & Philippe Even

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Disclaimer:  The information, facts, and opinions provided here is not a substitute for professional advice.  It only indicates what JK believes, does, or would do.  Always consult your primary care physician for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. 




Positive bias averaged 32% (range 11 to 69%) in a NEJM article, 2008.  The study of neuroleptic drugs made a comparison of 74 journal articles to the raw data which was obtained by FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) from the FDA. See http://healthfully.org/index/id9.html, or http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/358/3/252