Pharma

Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America

By: Gerald Posner

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

Award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gerald Posner reveals the heroes and villains of the trillion-dollar-a-year pharmaceutical industry and delivers “a withering and encyclopedic indictment of a drug industry that often seems to prioritize profits over patients” (The New York Times Book Review).

Pharmaceutical breakthroughs such as anti­biotics and vaccines rank among some of the greatest advancements in human history. Yet exorbitant prices for life-saving drugs, safety recalls affecting tens of millions of Americans, and soaring rates of addiction and overdose on pre­scription opioids have caused many to lose faith in drug companies. Now, Americans are demanding a national reckoning with a monolithic industry.

“Gerald’s dogged reporting, sets Pharma apart from all books on this subject” (The Washington Standard) as we are introduced to brilliant scientists, incorruptible government regulators, and brave whistleblowers facing off against company exec­utives often blinded by greed. A business that profits from treating ills can create far deadlier problems than it cures. Addictive products are part of the industry’s DNA, from the days when corner drugstores sold morphine, heroin, and cocaine, to the past two decades of dangerously overprescribed opioids.

Pharma also uncovers the real story of the Sacklers, the family that became one of America’s wealthiest from the success of OxyContin, their blockbuster narcotic painkiller at the center of the opioid crisis. Relying on thousands of pages of government and corporate archives, dozens of hours of interviews with insiders, and previously classified FBI files, Posner exposes the secrets of the Sacklers’ rise to power—revelations that have long been buried under a byzantine web of interlocking companies with ever-changing names and hidden owners. The unexpected twists and turns of the Sackler family saga are told against the startling chronicle of a powerful industry that sits at the intersection of public health and profits. “Explosively, even addictively, readable” (Booklist, starred review), Pharma reveals how and why American drug com­panies have put earnings ahead of patients.

Critic reviews

"Jacques Roy's consistently clear performance of Posner's audiobook is appropriate for its tone. Posner's research into the pharmaceutical industry is unsparing. Listeners are guided through the history of an industry that routinely seeks profit over public interest. Key details are covered: Why are there so many variants to over-the-counter painkillers? How did Oxycontin become so popular despite demonstrable public harm? Posner's research is exhaustive and provides damning insights. ('Pharma bro' Martin Shkreli was publicly vilified in 2015 for raising a vital drug's cost from $13 from $750, but that price remains unchanged.) Roy's approach to this work provides a neutral yet engaging tone for its information on the nature of this controversial industry."

Finally The Truth

I thought I knew something about Big Pharma, having worked in a hospital for 30 years.I only knew what they wanted us to know. Now I know the whole sordid truth. This book is so valuable, not only as a resource reference, but tells us the truth about the opioid scandal and the Sackler family. it was long, but well worth the read.

excellent

detailed, very educational, and shocking. if you are interested in the history of pharmacology this is for you and highly recommended.

not proud to have worked in the pharma industry

like: the comprehensive history
dislike: too much Sackler

the Oxi/ Sackler story takes too much room

seen the full background, there is not much ethical in ethical pharma

wow

a book for our times! not just pharma. the author covers the cultural backdrop.

One sided hit piece

Let's hope the author never needs life saving medication. If he takes it he risks being a massive hypocrite.

Informative but too long

A great read about history of pharma and focus on key events over the years and associated wrong doings. Content could be reduced by 20% as it is a very long book.

All of the information

I seeked out this to understand Pharma, because I’m I’m an investor. This book has increased my knowledge ! Also, I’ll be a lot more aware when going to my dr appointments

Best book I’ve ever listened to

This book was amazing. Have a great background of the pharmaceutical industry in the United States that led to the opioid epidemic.

A comprehensive timeline at the pharmaceutical industry

Whether you love or hate the pharmaceutical industry, this book is a comprehensive timeline of its beginnings in the United States, bringing it to current day. It answers questions you never knew you had. Well worth your time, no matter how long this book takes to get through.

this book will make you nauseous but after reading it you wont wanna medicate.

its a great picture of the complex (and largely dysfunctional) relationship between industrial pharma, regulatory body and the public.