This book exposes many of the secrets within modern medicine and health care, most notably its intricate relationship (and conflict of interest) with the pharmaceutical industry (Big Pharma). I will not go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil it for the would-be reader, but I will say that this book just gave me further confirmation of findings I've collected over the years through some labored independent research. We have a for-profit health care industry and this means that good quality health care is sacrificed at the expense of capitalistic, free-market models that minimize that care to maximize profits. Capitalism has its advantages, but those advantages can be negated by an industry that shouldn't look to cut corners nor depend on the premise of rational consumers who know what care they need -- when they obviously don't. Public health care policies and legislation are largely affected by this conflict of interest with pharmaceutical company lobbyists entering Washington with a bottomless checkbook and a for-profit agenda. Read this book and you will not be disappointed in it (I can't say the same for how you may feel about your doctors, your politicians, or corporations in general). Have a look and give it a chance. This books reminds me a lot of Eric Schlossers Reefer Madness and Super Size Me and makes me realize about the problems we can have when we let Capitalism just run free. WHEEEE The book does a good job of citing its sources and going in deep about the way the pharmaceutical companies operate. The months of planning it goes into creating drugs, the way drugs and illness are repackaged. Ex. impotence (a sign of old age) repackaged for Viagra and suddenly boom!= erectile dysfunction. Kinda scary the way these companies operate but I'm glad I read this because next time I see an add for Lunesta, or Restless Leg Syndrome? or even Chronic Dry Eye? I know more or less how that came to be and they are not gonna sucker me in.
This is the exact kind of book that I should find interesting, but it was boring as shit. Sadface.
—Elizabeth
An engaging read about the pitfalls and trespasses of modern healthcare.
—Tanya
Outstanding: funny, sharp, acerbic, necessary.
—tarasxm
Big Pharma can do good, but does much bad.
—Karissa
One thing : Vioxx actually worked
—sari
