In the US, big pharmaceutical companies often seem like a boogeyman, and that’s no accident. Profit, rather than altruism, drives pharmaceutical development, meaning if a new drug isn’t deemed cost-effective, it won’t make it to the market. Moreover, these companies frequently boost their profits by offering doctors commissions on the medications they prescribe. The US is also one of the rare countries where pharmaceutical companies are permitted to advertise their drugs directly to consumers. Journalist Martha Rosenberg and host John Kiriakou explore the impact of this pharmaceutical dominance on public health.
