Show 997: Big Pharma and Health Care

Dr. Peter Gotzsche worked for the pharmaceutical industry years ago supervising clinical trials and working in regulatory affairs. But this industry insider has become the toughest of critics.

Dr. Gotzsche is concerned about the impact that big pharma exerts on health care. Pharmaceutical firms are among the most profitable in the world. In the US alone, the bill for prescription drugs last year topped $350 billion. How can drug regulatory agencies around the globe stay on top of this powerful industry? Or can’t they? Find out why Dr. Gotzsche draws parallels between drug makers and organized crime.

This Week’s Guest:

Dr. Peter Gotzsche is Professor of clinical research design and analysis at the University of Copenhagen. He co-founded the Cochrane Collaboration in 1993 and is currently director at the Nordic Cochrane Center. He is a specialist in internal medicine who worked in clinical trials and regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry between 1975 and 1983. His book is Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: How big pharma has corrupted healthcare. His website is www.deadlymedicines.dk