Ask the Author: Katherine Eban
Answered Questions (15)
Katherine Eban
Dear Rohit, Thank you for your question. As I understand it, you are asking whether American MNCs behave in the U.S., and misbehave in India? There is some evidence to support what you are saying. The reason for this, I believe, is that as soon as companies operate in an environment with poor or minimal regulation, they resort to form -- and start cutting corners. But if they are operating in a regulated market, where they fear unannounced inspections, they are more likely to play by the rules. Sad but true. -- Katherine
Katherine Eban
Hi Jack, unfortunately, it's only in English now, but a Chinese edition will be coming out. All best, Katherine
Katherine Eban
Hi Debbie, apologize for the delayed response. Somehow, I missed this one. That is absolutely true. But I have found that there is some latitude for drugstores to order one generic, as opposed to another -- particularly at independent pharmacies. Also, if there is a particular generic that you want, and you have a choice of pharmacies, then I recommend shopping around until you find a pharmacy that could order that particular manufacturer. Also, check out my guide for how to investigate your own drugs: https://www.katherineeban.com/new-page. Hope that helps!
Katherine Eban
All excellent questions. Here are some answers: https://www.katherineeban.com/new-page
Katherine Eban
Your generic drug refill costs $4 at Walmart. And you have no idea where the drugs were made.
Katherine Eban
Well, not Gilead, since it seems like we're already there. I'll go wherever Gabriel Garcia Marquez wants me to.
Katherine Eban
Well, summer's a long time away. So, on my reading list right now: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, of course. And I've got Fleishman Is In Trouble on the bedside table.
Katherine Eban
Hi Rohit, thank you for your question. Yes, it is the same book, and same content, just two different editions. The one with the subtitle Ranbaxy and the Dark Side of Indian Pharma is actually the recently published Indian edition.
Katherine Eban
It absolutely will. There needs to be a consumer revolution. All pharmacies should be quality-testing the drugs they dispense.
Katherine Eban
Hi Tom, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Am working on the very Facebook page you describe. Great idea. Unfortunately, there is no watchdog of the kind you mention. However, because I have gotten the kind of question you're raising so often, I've put together a Guide To Investigating Your Own Drugs, here: https://www.katherineeban.com/guide. Hope that helps.
Katherine Eban
Writer's block is very painful. I have learned, through those bouts of pain, that I can't actually write my way out of it, because all that will lead to is moving around words on a page. For me, writer's block means that I don't actually yet know what I want to say. So, I have to think my way out of it. And to do that, I have to walk. Walk, and think.
Katherine Eban
I think of it like skiing. It feels so good after you've taken off your boots and are drinking hot chocolate in the lodge.
Katherine Eban
It's always the same: read as much as possible, and write as much as possible.
Katherine Eban
After a decade of reporting, five years of those spent working on writing Bottle of Lies, I am working on sleeping in, grocery shopping and cleaning my office.
Katherine Eban
Let's face it: some days, there's no inspiration. Some days are easy, like taking dictation. But when I'm really stuck, I walk -- and write in my head.
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