Big Pharma: The FDA’s Ineffectiveness and Corruption
Cleveland State University
Jesse Craciun
Professor Bonsky
BUS 351
20 March 2017
Big Pharma: The FDA’s Ineffectiveness and Corruption
Introduction
“The number of people killed by FDA-approved pharmaceuticals since 9/11 is equivalent to dropping a nuclear bomb on a major U.S. city,” says Mike Adams, author, scientific researcher and director of CWC Labs. While this claim might appear to be an over-exaggeration, it is actually a relatively accurate depiction of the harsh reality of FDA-approved pharmaceutical drugs. In a study published in the year 2000 by the American Medical Association, an estimated 106,000 deaths occurred per year from “non-error, adverse effects of medications” …show more content…
Initially, the act simply banned the misbranding of food and drugs and prohibited the transport and marketing of adulterated food and drugs. About 30 years later, the act was modified to include “cosmetics” in the name. These modifications constitute the majority of the FDA’s regulatory authority to this day, and they include: a review of the safety of all new drugs before they are released, the banning of false claims on drug labels, and factory inspections, among other things. The idea of “prescription” drugs (drugs that can only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional) arose in the mid-20th century. It was at this point that major drug and health controversies surrounding the FDA and its actions began to …show more content…
Thalidomide was an over-the-counter sedative that was touted as “completely” safe for everyone; men, women, and children alike. It first entered Germany in 1957, but by 1960, it was marketed in over 40 countries. Around this time, Dr. William McBride found out that thalidomide relieved morning sickness in pregnant women, and so he started allowing women to use the drug for that purpose. This is considered “off-label” use, meaning the drug was not actually approved to be used for that purpose; while some drugs can be used for off-label purposes successfully, other drugs cannot, and can even lead to severe and detrimental effects. Such is the case with thalidomide – shortly after prescribing the drug to pregnant women, Dr. McBride noticed babies being born with a terrible deformity known as phocomelia, which causes the arms and legs of infants to be severely shortened upon birth (Fintel
Cleveland State University
Jesse Craciun
Professor Bonsky
BUS 351
20 March 2017
Big Pharma: The FDA’s Ineffectiveness and Corruption
Introduction
“The number of people killed by FDA-approved pharmaceuticals since 9/11 is equivalent to dropping a nuclear bomb on a major U.S. city,” says Mike Adams, author, scientific researcher and director of CWC Labs. While this claim might appear to be an over-exaggeration, it is actually a relatively accurate depiction of the harsh reality of FDA-approved pharmaceutical drugs. In a study published in the year 2000 by the American Medical Association, an estimated 106,000 deaths occurred per year from “non-error, adverse effects of medications” …show more content…
Initially, the act simply banned the misbranding of food and drugs and prohibited the transport and marketing of adulterated food and drugs. About 30 years later, the act was modified to include “cosmetics” in the name. These modifications constitute the majority of the FDA’s regulatory authority to this day, and they include: a review of the safety of all new drugs before they are released, the banning of false claims on drug labels, and factory inspections, among other things. The idea of “prescription” drugs (drugs that can only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional) arose in the mid-20th century. It was at this point that major drug and health controversies surrounding the FDA and its actions began to …show more content…
Thalidomide was an over-the-counter sedative that was touted as “completely” safe for everyone; men, women, and children alike. It first entered Germany in 1957, but by 1960, it was marketed in over 40 countries. Around this time, Dr. William McBride found out that thalidomide relieved morning sickness in pregnant women, and so he started allowing women to use the drug for that purpose. This is considered “off-label” use, meaning the drug was not actually approved to be used for that purpose; while some drugs can be used for off-label purposes successfully, other drugs cannot, and can even lead to severe and detrimental effects. Such is the case with thalidomide – shortly after prescribing the drug to pregnant women, Dr. McBride noticed babies being born with a terrible deformity known as phocomelia, which causes the arms and legs of infants to be severely shortened upon birth (Fintel