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Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime: How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare
Prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
In his latest ground-breaking book, Peter C. Gøtzsche exposes the pharmaceutical industries and their charade of fraudulent behavior, both in research and marketing where the morally repugnant disregard for human lives is the norm 1. He convincingly draws close comparisons with the tobacco conglomerates, revealing the extraordinary truth behind efforts to confuse and distract the public and their politicians.
The book addresses, in evidence-based detail, an extraordinary system failure caused by widespread crime, corruption, bribery and impotent drug regulation in need of radical reforms.
In his latest ground-breaking book, Peter C. Gøtzsche exposes the pharmaceutical industries and their charade of fraudulent behavior, both in research and marketing where the morally repugnant disregard for human lives is the norm 1. He convincingly draws close comparisons with the tobacco conglomerates, revealing the extraordinary truth behind efforts to confuse and distract the public and their politicians.
The book addresses, in evidence-based detail, an extraordinary system failure caused by widespread crime, corruption, bribery and impotent drug regulation in need of radical reforms.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
147 people are currently reading
2053 people want to read
About the author
Peter C. Gøtzsche
25 books105 followersPeter C. Gøtzsche is a Danish physician, medical researcher, and leader of the Nordic Cochrane Center at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark. He co-founded, and has written numerous reviews within the Cochrane collaboration.
Among his research findings are that placebo has surprisingly little effect and that many meta-analyses may have data extraction errors. Gøtzsche and his coauthors have been keen to criticize the research methods and interpretations of other scientists, e.g. in meta-analysis of placebo.
Gøtzsche has commented on meta-analysis and the editorial independence of medical journals. He has written about issues surrounding medical ghostwriting with the position that it is scientific misconduct. He has also criticized the widespread use of SSRI antidepressants.
Among his research findings are that placebo has surprisingly little effect and that many meta-analyses may have data extraction errors. Gøtzsche and his coauthors have been keen to criticize the research methods and interpretations of other scientists, e.g. in meta-analysis of placebo.
Gøtzsche has commented on meta-analysis and the editorial independence of medical journals. He has written about issues surrounding medical ghostwriting with the position that it is scientific misconduct. He has also criticized the widespread use of SSRI antidepressants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 5, 2024
I got this book from the free book exchange in the local train station. My initial thought was that its title sounded a bit exaggerated, but after starting reading it, I gradually changed my mind. I was genuinely horrified while progressing with the reading, while leaning more and more towards becoming a proponent of the Dutch approach towards medicine, i.e. less is more.
The author does not claim that all pills are bad, he recognises the advances in treating-once-sure-death diseases like malaria, smallpox etc. However, the third most killing diseases or factors after cancer and alcohol are pills. Moreover, it is mentioned that bipolar disorder is a by-product of the antidepressants prescribed to treat depression. This sounded very shocking to me, and somehow fed the pre-existing bias I had towards the pharmaceutical industry and its main aim at making us addicted to their products for profit-making. The cherry on the cake: many examples of new generation drugs which are passed due to lobbying and other forms of influence by the drug regulators, with biased trials and kick-backs for doctors.
I did question if there was any conflict of interest between this book and the clinique he has founded to treat patients with less medicine. But one thing is for sure: I will do proper due diligence before blindly ingesting pills from now on, especially the new generation ones, which are deemed to be the worst.
The author does not claim that all pills are bad, he recognises the advances in treating-once-sure-death diseases like malaria, smallpox etc. However, the third most killing diseases or factors after cancer and alcohol are pills. Moreover, it is mentioned that bipolar disorder is a by-product of the antidepressants prescribed to treat depression. This sounded very shocking to me, and somehow fed the pre-existing bias I had towards the pharmaceutical industry and its main aim at making us addicted to their products for profit-making. The cherry on the cake: many examples of new generation drugs which are passed due to lobbying and other forms of influence by the drug regulators, with biased trials and kick-backs for doctors.
I did question if there was any conflict of interest between this book and the clinique he has founded to treat patients with less medicine. But one thing is for sure: I will do proper due diligence before blindly ingesting pills from now on, especially the new generation ones, which are deemed to be the worst.
March 29, 2017
This book is a game changer. I was aware that many drugs have been pulled due to serious adverse events, but generally thought that such effects were a surprise to Big Pharma and the FDA (e.g., SSRIs and suicidality or causing bipolar disorder). What's clear is that these were known by Pharma and the FDA and were approved and marketed anyway. Loss of patient life is considered an aspect of doing business, and Pharma made billions while many suffer and die. My sister was deafened by Neurontin, a drug that has harmed thousands and likely helped no one. They use similar tactics to the current administration's supporters - e.g. when clear evidence that a drug is harmful is presented, they produce a mountain of substandard studies which claim the opposite, prompting journalists to report that the scientific community disagrees. Many physicians are complicit, due to accepting samples, "continuing medical education", trips, or money from Pharma.
Shame on you Pharma; shame on the FDA; shame on doctors who accept monetary or other forms of payment from Pharma; and shame on patient organizations run by physicians who are on Pharma's payroll.
Shame on you Pharma; shame on the FDA; shame on doctors who accept monetary or other forms of payment from Pharma; and shame on patient organizations run by physicians who are on Pharma's payroll.
August 14, 2016
Very educational!! .. and shocking. Should be a mandatory reading for all doctors, pharmacists and people under long-term medication.
February 5, 2017
This is an eye-opening book. My shock grew page by page. I could never imagine how corrupt this system is. The most terrifying thought was that I have been playing the sucker part of this deal for years, the last gig being on antidepressant for almost a year (spoiler alert: they do not work). This book, which is soundly based on very good (and impressive) evidence is a must-read for patients, well-meaning doctors and public policy makers.
October 12, 2019
"Doctors' relationships with pharma don't even live up to the criteria for wine tasting in the Wall Street Journal, although doctors' choice of drugs, or no drugs at all, is far more important for people's health than the type of wine they drink: 'We do not accept free wine, free trips, or free meals . . . We taste wines blind unless noted otherwise. We believe wines should speak for themselves.' So should drugs!"
- Peter C. Gotzsche, p. 277
- Peter C. Gotzsche, p. 277
November 8, 2018
This is an incredible book but a damning indictment of the science deployed by the pharmaceutical industry. Example after example is provided where drug companies, regulatory agencies, patient groups and government all collude with what is clearly an abuse of science and power.
The author is now hounded for his attitude and actions.
The problem with the book is the feelings of despair that it leaves. Money is at the root of all evil and it is writ large here in this account. It is clear that pharmacology has not only corrupted medical science but has also prevented alternative avenues of research to be pursued. Unless this is addressed we are only going to continue along the lines currently taken.
Randomised clinical trials should not be controlled and conducted by the companies hoping to make huge sums of money out of the outcomes. Seems a no-brainer to me.
The author is now hounded for his attitude and actions.
The problem with the book is the feelings of despair that it leaves. Money is at the root of all evil and it is writ large here in this account. It is clear that pharmacology has not only corrupted medical science but has also prevented alternative avenues of research to be pursued. Unless this is addressed we are only going to continue along the lines currently taken.
Randomised clinical trials should not be controlled and conducted by the companies hoping to make huge sums of money out of the outcomes. Seems a no-brainer to me.
August 12, 2014
A scary analysis of the many different malpractices done by the big pharmaceutical companies in order to increase their profit.
Collusion, fabrication of documents, threats, falsification of data in clinical trials, bribery are practices that are more suitable to the organized crime than to any responsible industry. Yet it's precisely the will (and need) to put money before people, and also a very lenient attitude from public institutions, that has made all the set of tricks above mentioned part and parcel of pharmaceutical industry.
At the beginning of the book I was blown away by the narrative, because Gotzsche spares no verbal means in order to attack the industry. Unfortunately, the book is some 450 pages long, and after reading the first 4 or 5 chapters it gets very very repetitive. Repetitive in the sense that he goes thru many cases of corruption that are conceptually the same, the only difference being the company who perpetrated it.
I also have to say that Gotszche's straight-forward language can make him look (and read) very arrogant.
Somewhere along the book you will realize that all these malpractices are not only common between organized crime and pharma companies, but the same is applicable to any other industry!!. I mean, nowadays there're conflict of interest with many politicians, CEOs, and lobbies.
Gotzsche has the naive impression that accepting gifts from companies in order to curry favour is a moral sin that has to be punished. Unfortunately things like that are a widespread practice.
He has a point though. There's something that sets pharma industry apart from other industries, and that's the fact that reimbursements cost the taxpayers big money. It's not only they cheat to increase their revenue but also that they are charging governments obscene amounts of money by doing so.
Those 450 pages can be nicely summarized in this paper I happened to come across on the Internet. It's barely 18 pages but after reading you will get the same idea as if you had gone thru this book:
HERE
An interesting read, but way too much convoluted with very detailed information.
Collusion, fabrication of documents, threats, falsification of data in clinical trials, bribery are practices that are more suitable to the organized crime than to any responsible industry. Yet it's precisely the will (and need) to put money before people, and also a very lenient attitude from public institutions, that has made all the set of tricks above mentioned part and parcel of pharmaceutical industry.
At the beginning of the book I was blown away by the narrative, because Gotzsche spares no verbal means in order to attack the industry. Unfortunately, the book is some 450 pages long, and after reading the first 4 or 5 chapters it gets very very repetitive. Repetitive in the sense that he goes thru many cases of corruption that are conceptually the same, the only difference being the company who perpetrated it.
I also have to say that Gotszche's straight-forward language can make him look (and read) very arrogant.
Somewhere along the book you will realize that all these malpractices are not only common between organized crime and pharma companies, but the same is applicable to any other industry!!. I mean, nowadays there're conflict of interest with many politicians, CEOs, and lobbies.
Gotzsche has the naive impression that accepting gifts from companies in order to curry favour is a moral sin that has to be punished. Unfortunately things like that are a widespread practice.
He has a point though. There's something that sets pharma industry apart from other industries, and that's the fact that reimbursements cost the taxpayers big money. It's not only they cheat to increase their revenue but also that they are charging governments obscene amounts of money by doing so.
Those 450 pages can be nicely summarized in this paper I happened to come across on the Internet. It's barely 18 pages but after reading you will get the same idea as if you had gone thru this book:
HERE
An interesting read, but way too much convoluted with very detailed information.
September 22, 2019
Political lobbying and campaign contributions, sponsored clinical trials, journal articles, continuing medical education, regulatory, prescribers and patient group influence are the top items on pharma industry's shopping list.
Widely criticized for spending more on marketing than R&D, exorbitant price increases, collusion with almost all stakeholders in the healthcare chain, the pharma industry shamefully precipitates to the bottom of the public trusted industries list.
Dr. Gotzche's book, or as he himself partly admits, his rant about how pharmaceutical industry has captured and corrupted the healthcare system across the globe is a fascinating read indeed.
Unlike the flowery and misleading language of industry's data interpretation of their inept trials , Dr. Gotzsche doesn't mince words in calling out their transgressions of every possible legal and moral limits of doing business.
As a part of the industry, I was wrong in thinking that nothing the book had to offer would surprise me.
While some might claim the book being rife with conspiracy theories with no proof, the history of industry's offenses and settlements offers neither cushion nor strength to that argument.
It also highlights a much bigger underlying problem of our broken healthcare system and its misplaced incentives - getting paid for keeping people sick.
Sadly, the suggestions to improve the situation is not quite as riveting as the current picture painted by the author.
The suggestions are utopian at best which basically appeals to the better nature of all stakeholders.
I'd personally treasure this book as an index of all the major controversies of the industry.
To be fair, the horrors in the book about drugs and harms can be overwhelming and prone to misinterpretation, acting as a prescription against using medicines in general which can be equally harmful. This mistrust in pharma industry has its own share of wrong decisions e.g. Vaccine autism farce.
But the wider public awareness is essential to intiate change, if any is to happen, atleast at the sociopolitical level which hopefully has a meaningful impact on the state of things.
Widely criticized for spending more on marketing than R&D, exorbitant price increases, collusion with almost all stakeholders in the healthcare chain, the pharma industry shamefully precipitates to the bottom of the public trusted industries list.
Dr. Gotzche's book, or as he himself partly admits, his rant about how pharmaceutical industry has captured and corrupted the healthcare system across the globe is a fascinating read indeed.
Unlike the flowery and misleading language of industry's data interpretation of their inept trials , Dr. Gotzsche doesn't mince words in calling out their transgressions of every possible legal and moral limits of doing business.
As a part of the industry, I was wrong in thinking that nothing the book had to offer would surprise me.
While some might claim the book being rife with conspiracy theories with no proof, the history of industry's offenses and settlements offers neither cushion nor strength to that argument.
It also highlights a much bigger underlying problem of our broken healthcare system and its misplaced incentives - getting paid for keeping people sick.
Sadly, the suggestions to improve the situation is not quite as riveting as the current picture painted by the author.
The suggestions are utopian at best which basically appeals to the better nature of all stakeholders.
I'd personally treasure this book as an index of all the major controversies of the industry.
To be fair, the horrors in the book about drugs and harms can be overwhelming and prone to misinterpretation, acting as a prescription against using medicines in general which can be equally harmful. This mistrust in pharma industry has its own share of wrong decisions e.g. Vaccine autism farce.
But the wider public awareness is essential to intiate change, if any is to happen, atleast at the sociopolitical level which hopefully has a meaningful impact on the state of things.
September 20, 2013
Depressing, but something anybody involved with the pharma industry probably ought to read ...
July 15, 2015
Once you have read this you will never take a pharmaceutical drug again without Googling for effectiveness and adverse reactions.
July 13, 2016
great topic but after a while you get the idea and enough is enough already
November 26, 2015
Ignore at your peril.
I have never really trusted drug companies or their data release - I've had personal side effects to more than one prescribed medication for epilepsy - but now I don't trust them at all. When combining unethical approaches of the drug companies, drug agencies, profit margins vs patients safety, industry influences to prescription providers & legislators all together, it makes me very nervous for the worldwide population.
Only after about the first couple of chapters I was heading for my medicine cabinet & fridge to check the makers, the chemical name/compound of my tablets & reading the enclosed 'micro-printed' enclosed information slip word-for-word.
A very unpleasant read, however, I highly recommend you put it on your list.
I have never really trusted drug companies or their data release - I've had personal side effects to more than one prescribed medication for epilepsy - but now I don't trust them at all. When combining unethical approaches of the drug companies, drug agencies, profit margins vs patients safety, industry influences to prescription providers & legislators all together, it makes me very nervous for the worldwide population.
Only after about the first couple of chapters I was heading for my medicine cabinet & fridge to check the makers, the chemical name/compound of my tablets & reading the enclosed 'micro-printed' enclosed information slip word-for-word.
A very unpleasant read, however, I highly recommend you put it on your list.
February 22, 2025
Sin duda de lo mejor que he leído.
Destapa como funciona la industria farmacéutica, y todo lo que implica: fraude, sobornos, extorsión, medicamentos que matan, visitadores médicos, médicos cómplices, y administraciones impasibles.
Los medicamentos son la tercera causa de muerte en Europa y EEUU.
Un libro que todo el mundo debería leer.
Destapa como funciona la industria farmacéutica, y todo lo que implica: fraude, sobornos, extorsión, medicamentos que matan, visitadores médicos, médicos cómplices, y administraciones impasibles.
Los medicamentos son la tercera causa de muerte en Europa y EEUU.
Un libro que todo el mundo debería leer.
April 5, 2015
Maybe a better title would have been "Confessions of a former drugs salesman"
Subtitle: "What I've done to improve the world since"
Subtitle: "What I've done to improve the world since"
December 5, 2017
Shocking and depressing in some ways, a book that made me think about medicine in a whole new perspective and how prescribing can affect negatively the lifes of patients.
June 1, 2025
Het boek haalt wel een hele grote hamer uit om te kloppen op problemen bij ( big ) pharma , ( of er ook iets is als kleine pharma weet ik niet ) Een lijvig boek 400 blz , waardoor het wat veel werd voor deze lezer , toch 4 sterren omdat er wel een belangrijke boodschap insteekt, het belang van gezondheid , medicijnen en onbevooroordeeld onderzoek en resultaten ,
Er speelt heel veel af in alle soorten verschillende lichamen , gemakkelijk zal het wel niet zijn om deze zoveel mogelijk gezond ( vrij van leed ) proberen te houden , ik ben wat minder hard dan de schrijver en geloof ergens nog in goede bedoelingen van de medicijnen sector , . ….. het nadeel is dat ( veel ) geld niet altijd het beste bovenhaalt in mensen , waardoor er veel te ruim wordt omgegaan met eerlijkheid , ….. het lijkt erop als een bepaald medicijn als een trein kan vertrekken dat geld plots meer waard wordt dan gezondheid , en als de ( geld ) medicijn trein passeert er veel supporters zijn om de negatieve kanten ( andere supporters) voldoende aan de kant te zetten , wat nadelig kan zijn voor algemene gezondheid , Een kritisch boek over de geneesmiddelen sector , waar vertrouwen te koop kan zijn .
Er speelt heel veel af in alle soorten verschillende lichamen , gemakkelijk zal het wel niet zijn om deze zoveel mogelijk gezond ( vrij van leed ) proberen te houden , ik ben wat minder hard dan de schrijver en geloof ergens nog in goede bedoelingen van de medicijnen sector , . ….. het nadeel is dat ( veel ) geld niet altijd het beste bovenhaalt in mensen , waardoor er veel te ruim wordt omgegaan met eerlijkheid , ….. het lijkt erop als een bepaald medicijn als een trein kan vertrekken dat geld plots meer waard wordt dan gezondheid , en als de ( geld ) medicijn trein passeert er veel supporters zijn om de negatieve kanten ( andere supporters) voldoende aan de kant te zetten , wat nadelig kan zijn voor algemene gezondheid , Een kritisch boek over de geneesmiddelen sector , waar vertrouwen te koop kan zijn .
January 13, 2023
Μπορώ να πω ότι το εν λόγω βιβλίο είναι άκρως επιστημονικό, περιεκτικό, τεκμηριωμένο με πληρότητα, αναλυτικό, διαυγές και ενημερωμένο. Επίσης, πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο κόλαφος στις φαρμακοβιομηχνίες, οι οποίες εγκληματούν κατά της ανθρωπότητας, δεν διαφέρουν ουσιαστικά από το οργανωμένο έγκλημα. Αν τα φάρμακα είναι η τρίτη αιτία θανάτου μετά τις καρδιοπάθειες και τον καρκίνο, τότε καταλαβαίνει κανείς το σκανδαλώδες μέγεθος αυτής της εγκληματικής συμπεριφοράς. Ο Πίτερ Γκότσε έκανε πολύ καλή δουλειά, πήρε τις αποστάσεις του και τήρησε την επιστημονική δεοντολογία. Ευτυχώς που υπάρχουν γιατροί σαν αυτόν, να μας ανοίγουν τα μάτια, να μας καθιστούν καχύποπτους απέναντι στις πρακτικές των μεγάλων εταιρειών, που κερδοσκοπούν χωρίς δισταγμό, καταστρέφοντας ανθρώπους. Δυστυχώς το ιατρικό σύστημα είναι πολύπλοκο, σκληρό και απάνθρωπο, οι γνώσεις μας είναι ακόμα πολύ λίγες, αφού νέα φάρμακα δεν δημιουργούνται συχνά, συνήθως αναπαράγονται τα ίδια. Το βιβλίο αυτό πρέπει να διαβαστεί από όλους όσους χωρίς πολλή σκέψη καταπίνουν ανεξέλεγκτα χάπια, σιρόπια και άλλες ουσίες που τους δίνει ο γιατρός τους, ο οποίος στην ουσία δεν γνωρίζει κάτι άλλο για τα φάρμακα παρά ό,τι του λένε οι φαρμακοβιομηχανίες. Δυστυχώς αυτή είναι η κατάσταση και πρέπει όλοι να ενημερωνόμαστε με προσοχή για όποιο φάρμακο λαμβάνουμε.
May 12, 2022
Книга - редкостная дрянь на самом деле. Пишет примерно то же, что и Кийосаки - как богомерзкие капиталисты жестоко обманывают наивных трудящихся и вытягивают свои миллиарды из и без того худых карманов наивных терпил. Действительная цель автора - манипулируя низменными чувствами продать как можно больше своих книг. Я еще как только начал читать, почувствовал неладное - автор просто брызгал ядом - ну не пишет никогда таким стилем исследователь или независимый расследователь. А когда дошел до разъяснения, что никакие лекарства на самом деле не лечат - просто ведущие фармацевтические гиганты производят какие-то химические препараты, которые не дают никакого вообще лечебного эффекта, но вместе с тем обладают страшнейшими побочными эффектами и морят людей пачками, то читать бросил. Потому что дальше пошел вообще бредовый бред - всемирный мафиозный картель фармацевтов, люди если выздоравливают, то только спонтанно и вопреки лечению, все болезни можно лечить аспирином и парацетамолом, дженерики лучше оригинальных препаратов, более того - оригинальные препараты не лечат, а лечат только их дженерики и т.д. и т.п. И я не преувеличиваю.
В качестве примера - у автора есть какой-то исследовательский центр, в котором проводят двойные слепые плацебоконтролируемые исследования психотропных лекарств, как наиболее опасных (по его мнению). Так в частности, в одном из исследований 60 % пациентов, принимавших антидепрессант в течение 6 недель отмечали улучшение своего состояния, а среди контрольной группы, получавшей плацебо, таковых оказалось аж 50 %. Это свидетельствует, по мнению автора, что антидепрессанты депрессию и не лечат, просто за полтора месяца у всех наступает "спонтанная ремиссия". Надо просто ждать. Хотя в реальной жизни спонтанная ремиссия наступает крайне редко, а 85 % среди самоубийц - это лица с нелеченной клинической депрессией. Я бы посоветовал автору вместо депрессивных пациентов набрать шизофреников, причем одной группе давать нейролептик, второй - плацебо, и ожидать у них "спонтанной ремиссии". Мне было бы интересно, через сколько дней вышедший в "спонтанную ремиссию" пациент откусил бы автору голову.
Но все на самом деле гораздо глубже - психиатрия, это единственная область медицины, которая не имеет инструментальных исследований, и где диагноз ставится врачом субъективно - на основании анамнеза, опроса и наблюдения пациента. Это очень удобно для нашего "исследователя" - можешь писать в протоколы, что угодно, потому что ни анализов, показывающих изменение состояния объективно, ни томографии, ни УЗИ - ничего. И пойди узнай, была ли 6 недель назад у "пациента" депрессия.
Выбирая книгу для чтения, я купился на ее выходные данные: переводчик - доктор медицинских наук, редакторы - три (!) кандидата медицинских наук. Товарищи ученые, доценты с кандидатами... Эх, неужели вы не понимали, о чем эта книга? Да что там о понимании - может медицинские термины переведены и верно, но сам перевод безграмотен с точки зрения языка - потому что надо было бы еще и доктору филологических наук дать почитать. Ну неужели четыре (!) человека с учеными степенями никогда не слышали о такой всемирно известной пьесе Артура Миллера, как "Смерть коммивояжёра" и перевели ее название как "Смерть торговца"? И подобных примеров тьма тьмущая.
Короче - книгу в топку, а какие препараты принимать - спрашивайте у своих врачей. Они знают лучше.
В качестве примера - у автора есть какой-то исследовательский центр, в котором проводят двойные слепые плацебоконтролируемые исследования психотропных лекарств, как наиболее опасных (по его мнению). Так в частности, в одном из исследований 60 % пациентов, принимавших антидепрессант в течение 6 недель отмечали улучшение своего состояния, а среди контрольной группы, получавшей плацебо, таковых оказалось аж 50 %. Это свидетельствует, по мнению автора, что антидепрессанты депрессию и не лечат, просто за полтора месяца у всех наступает "спонтанная ремиссия". Надо просто ждать. Хотя в реальной жизни спонтанная ремиссия наступает крайне редко, а 85 % среди самоубийц - это лица с нелеченной клинической депрессией. Я бы посоветовал автору вместо депрессивных пациентов набрать шизофреников, причем одной группе давать нейролептик, второй - плацебо, и ожидать у них "спонтанной ремиссии". Мне было бы интересно, через сколько дней вышедший в "спонтанную ремиссию" пациент откусил бы автору голову.
Но все на самом деле гораздо глубже - психиатрия, это единственная область медицины, которая не имеет инструментальных исследований, и где диагноз ставится врачом субъективно - на основании анамнеза, опроса и наблюдения пациента. Это очень удобно для нашего "исследователя" - можешь писать в протоколы, что угодно, потому что ни анализов, показывающих изменение состояния объективно, ни томографии, ни УЗИ - ничего. И пойди узнай, была ли 6 недель назад у "пациента" депрессия.
Выбирая книгу для чтения, я купился на ее выходные данные: переводчик - доктор медицинских наук, редакторы - три (!) кандидата медицинских наук. Товарищи ученые, доценты с кандидатами... Эх, неужели вы не понимали, о чем эта книга? Да что там о понимании - может медицинские термины переведены и верно, но сам перевод безграмотен с точки зрения языка - потому что надо было бы еще и доктору филологических наук дать почитать. Ну неужели четыре (!) человека с учеными степенями никогда не слышали о такой всемирно известной пьесе Артура Миллера, как "Смерть коммивояжёра" и перевели ее название как "Смерть торговца"? И подобных примеров тьма тьмущая.
Короче - книгу в топку, а какие препараты принимать - спрашивайте у своих врачей. Они знают лучше.
November 21, 2014
There is so much in this book. Brilliant quotes within the text. Excellent succinct ways of putting ideas that are sometimes difficult to articulate, defending those who are currently suffering under the psychiatric regime. When I’m confronted with the constant horror of those who deny the abuse I suffered, I know I can look at ‘Deadly medicines and organised crime’ and feel that I have back up. I call psychiatry a regime, but Peter Gotzsche calls the industry The Mob (organised crime). His arguments and understanding of how this industry operates is very insightful.
Although the layout of the book is academic and the font size small, I found the book an engaging read, that could easily be marketed in a less academic fashion, for general readers who might be put off by wide slabs of text, a small font size and not very generous margins. It is whatever people get used to though. I had to read it all in one go and didn’t want to be interrupted.
I am very happy Peter Gotzsche has lived long enough to write this book, given that he has insider knowledge, having worked in pharmaceutical sales for years and medical research. I commend him for turning his life around. And I’m hoping to read further books of his. But, as he knows, the people he’s up against are very dangerous.
This book is a resource for anyone taking action against pharmaceutical companies or medical practitioners. It takes bricks out of the impossible wall of the psychiatric regime that I’ve felt for so long. A psychiatric survivor’s guide to pulling that wall down, this book is, I think. But, it should also be required reading for all medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers and advocates. Psychiatrists should read this? Well, Peter Gotzsche says he’s not anti-psychiatry, but I don’t see any place for psychiatry, its name is rot, it’s done way too much harm on such a massive scale, as Peter Gotzsche shows in stats and current practices and histories. I don’t know how anyone with a conscience would want to boast to having been a practitioner in it. Spoon benders are more legitimate and at least not harming anyone, but that’s were Peter Gotzsche wasn’t actually talking about psychiatry, not really, not the monster I know. He was just trying to defend a friend who would probably hate to hear his years of study rubbished, hate it so much he wouldn’t want to be a friend anymore. Think criminology students would also get a lot out of this book. Yep, it’s a brilliant resource. I’m keeping it on my shelf. Those who can’t afford to buy it, need to nag their libraries into getting it.
Although the layout of the book is academic and the font size small, I found the book an engaging read, that could easily be marketed in a less academic fashion, for general readers who might be put off by wide slabs of text, a small font size and not very generous margins. It is whatever people get used to though. I had to read it all in one go and didn’t want to be interrupted.
I am very happy Peter Gotzsche has lived long enough to write this book, given that he has insider knowledge, having worked in pharmaceutical sales for years and medical research. I commend him for turning his life around. And I’m hoping to read further books of his. But, as he knows, the people he’s up against are very dangerous.
This book is a resource for anyone taking action against pharmaceutical companies or medical practitioners. It takes bricks out of the impossible wall of the psychiatric regime that I’ve felt for so long. A psychiatric survivor’s guide to pulling that wall down, this book is, I think. But, it should also be required reading for all medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers and advocates. Psychiatrists should read this? Well, Peter Gotzsche says he’s not anti-psychiatry, but I don’t see any place for psychiatry, its name is rot, it’s done way too much harm on such a massive scale, as Peter Gotzsche shows in stats and current practices and histories. I don’t know how anyone with a conscience would want to boast to having been a practitioner in it. Spoon benders are more legitimate and at least not harming anyone, but that’s were Peter Gotzsche wasn’t actually talking about psychiatry, not really, not the monster I know. He was just trying to defend a friend who would probably hate to hear his years of study rubbished, hate it so much he wouldn’t want to be a friend anymore. Think criminology students would also get a lot out of this book. Yep, it’s a brilliant resource. I’m keeping it on my shelf. Those who can’t afford to buy it, need to nag their libraries into getting it.
November 13, 2022
As a practicing pharmacist, I enjoyed most of this book and saw examples of corruption that I have both lived through and had heard of before I got into the profession. It was nice, too, to see some explanations of inconsistencies and obvious regulatory favoritism to which I have been aware but has been well-hidden from public knowledge. The explanation of all of the corruption is well documented and mostly well told. The reason I give this two stars, though, is because of both the overstatement of trends and the final conclusions drawn.
As mentioned, the author thoroughly cites cases of corruption. He embellishes, however, his identified trends by referring to single cases in other chapters while inferring that the referenced cases are more numerous than they are. This is misleading. This alone would have made me give a four star rating.
The drop to two stars is due to final conclusions. Essentially, everybody is the boogeyman in this book except the disembodied and non-existent ‘they’ or ‘someone’ group of omniscient and benevolent regulators (I’m sure the author would be one of them) that knows better than everybody else and should be put in charge. If anybody can seriously think this would be a viable answer I have three words for you: Doctor Anthony Fauci.
While it is true that the author gives evidence that Big Pharma, governments, and regulators are all dirty, he still goes back to this phantom group of benevolent regulators as being the answer. This may be due to the author’s understanding and life experiences in Europe. While increased faith in regulators may be the answer in social democratic countries in Europe, the author errs in drawing conclusions to be prescribed for the entire world. This is especially evident in the author’s misunderstanding and, in at least one case, completely ignorant understanding of United States government and policy, especially since so much of his analysis focuses on US drug companies and FDA.
To be fair, while the meat of the book is eye-opening to read and well documented in particular cases of bad behavior, the author is perhaps a bit too jaded and a bit too sure of his understanding of drug policy in other countries to extrapolate his conclusions to countries outside of Denmark or the EU.
As mentioned, the author thoroughly cites cases of corruption. He embellishes, however, his identified trends by referring to single cases in other chapters while inferring that the referenced cases are more numerous than they are. This is misleading. This alone would have made me give a four star rating.
The drop to two stars is due to final conclusions. Essentially, everybody is the boogeyman in this book except the disembodied and non-existent ‘they’ or ‘someone’ group of omniscient and benevolent regulators (I’m sure the author would be one of them) that knows better than everybody else and should be put in charge. If anybody can seriously think this would be a viable answer I have three words for you: Doctor Anthony Fauci.
While it is true that the author gives evidence that Big Pharma, governments, and regulators are all dirty, he still goes back to this phantom group of benevolent regulators as being the answer. This may be due to the author’s understanding and life experiences in Europe. While increased faith in regulators may be the answer in social democratic countries in Europe, the author errs in drawing conclusions to be prescribed for the entire world. This is especially evident in the author’s misunderstanding and, in at least one case, completely ignorant understanding of United States government and policy, especially since so much of his analysis focuses on US drug companies and FDA.
To be fair, while the meat of the book is eye-opening to read and well documented in particular cases of bad behavior, the author is perhaps a bit too jaded and a bit too sure of his understanding of drug policy in other countries to extrapolate his conclusions to countries outside of Denmark or the EU.
December 15, 2018
Livro conta detalhes sobre o funcionamento da indústria farmacêutica, da perspectiva de um médico, pesquisador (cofundador da Cochrane) e ex-funcionário de grandes empresas da área.
O jogo sujo envolvendo a aprovação de medicamentos pouco eficazes e com potencial de dano e dependência é assustador, até difícil de acreditar. Alteração de dados de pesquisa, corrupção, ameaças, esquemas entre indústria e agências regulatórias... praticas inimagináveis na área da saúde.
Uma leitura pesada, técnica, detalhada na narrativa de fatos, mas que merece muita atenção, café e paciência. Ao menos os últimos capítulos, que trazem as conclusões do autor, oferecem soluções e esclarecem os mitos da indústria de medicamentos, como os seguintes:
Mito 1. Os medicamentos são caros devido aos elevados custos de descoberta e desenvolvimento
Mito 2. Se não usarmos medicamentos caros, a inovação vai desaparecer
Mito 4. As descobertas vêm da pesquisa financiada pela indústria
Mito 5. As empresas farmacêuticas competem em um mercado livre
Mito 7. Os ensaios clínicos são feitos para melhorar os tratamentos
Mito 9. Não use medicamentos genéricos pois sua potência varia
Conclusão do autor sobre medicamentos psicoativos, "As pessoas estariam melhor se todos medicamentos psicoativos fossem eliminados do mercado, pois os médicos não conseguem manejá-los. Sua disponibilidade cria mais dano do que bem."
Como estudante da área, foi um pouco perturbador ler sobre fraudes relacionadas à um medicamento há poucos dias prescrito para uma paciente. Medicamento com custo mais alto que seu predecessor, quase idênticos em sua composição química, sendo que o antigo havia perdido a patente e pesquisadores foram comprados pelo laboratório para publicar artigos que relatassem uma superioridade do novo medicamento. Obs: ambos mostraram diferença de 1 entre eles e de 3 para o placebo, em uma escala de 60, nos sintomas relatados (diferença sem qualquer importância para os pacientes, segundo o autor).
Enfim, um bom livro, entre os poucos disponíveis em português sobre o tema.
O jogo sujo envolvendo a aprovação de medicamentos pouco eficazes e com potencial de dano e dependência é assustador, até difícil de acreditar. Alteração de dados de pesquisa, corrupção, ameaças, esquemas entre indústria e agências regulatórias... praticas inimagináveis na área da saúde.
Uma leitura pesada, técnica, detalhada na narrativa de fatos, mas que merece muita atenção, café e paciência. Ao menos os últimos capítulos, que trazem as conclusões do autor, oferecem soluções e esclarecem os mitos da indústria de medicamentos, como os seguintes:
Mito 1. Os medicamentos são caros devido aos elevados custos de descoberta e desenvolvimento
Mito 2. Se não usarmos medicamentos caros, a inovação vai desaparecer
Mito 4. As descobertas vêm da pesquisa financiada pela indústria
Mito 5. As empresas farmacêuticas competem em um mercado livre
Mito 7. Os ensaios clínicos são feitos para melhorar os tratamentos
Mito 9. Não use medicamentos genéricos pois sua potência varia
Conclusão do autor sobre medicamentos psicoativos, "As pessoas estariam melhor se todos medicamentos psicoativos fossem eliminados do mercado, pois os médicos não conseguem manejá-los. Sua disponibilidade cria mais dano do que bem."
Como estudante da área, foi um pouco perturbador ler sobre fraudes relacionadas à um medicamento há poucos dias prescrito para uma paciente. Medicamento com custo mais alto que seu predecessor, quase idênticos em sua composição química, sendo que o antigo havia perdido a patente e pesquisadores foram comprados pelo laboratório para publicar artigos que relatassem uma superioridade do novo medicamento. Obs: ambos mostraram diferença de 1 entre eles e de 3 para o placebo, em uma escala de 60, nos sintomas relatados (diferença sem qualquer importância para os pacientes, segundo o autor).
Enfim, um bom livro, entre os poucos disponíveis em português sobre o tema.
December 15, 2018
Livro conta detalhes sobre o funcionamento da indústria farmacêutica, da perspectiva de um médico, pesquisador (cofundador da Cochrane) e ex-funcionário de grandes empresas da área.
O jogo sujo envolvendo a aprovação de medicamentos pouco eficazes e com potencial de dano e dependência é assustador, até difícil de acreditar. Alteração de dados de pesquisa, corrupção, ameaças, esquemas entre indústria e agências regulatórias... praticas inimagináveis na área da saúde.
Uma leitura pesada, técnica, detalhada na narrativa de fatos, mas que merece muita atenção, café e paciência. Ao menos os últimos capítulos, que trazem as conclusões do autor, oferecem soluções e esclarecem os mitos da indústria de medicamentos, como os seguintes:
Mito 1. Os medicamentos são caros devido aos elevados custos de descoberta e desenvolvimento
Mito 2. Se não usarmos medicamentos caros, a inovação vai desaparecer
Mito 4. As descobertas vêm da pesquisa financiada pela indústria
Mito 5. As empresas farmacêuticas competem em um mercado livre
Mito 7. Os ensaios clínicos são feitos para melhorar os tratamentos
Mito 9. Não use medicamentos genéricos pois sua potência varia
Conclusão do autor sobre medicamentos psicoativos, "As pessoas estariam melhor se todos medicamentos psicoativos fossem eliminados do mercado, pois os médicos não conseguem manejá-los. Sua disponibilidade cria mais dano do que bem."
Como estudante da área, foi um pouco perturbador ler sobre fraudes relacionadas à um medicamento há poucos dias prescrito para uma paciente. Medicamento com custo mais alto que seu predecessor, quase idênticos em sua composição química, sendo que o antigo havia perdido a patente e pesquisadores foram comprados pelo laboratório para publicar artigos que relatassem uma superioridade do novo medicamento. Obs: ambos mostraram diferença de 1 entre eles e de 3 para o placebo, em uma escala de 60, nos sintomas relatados (diferença sem qualquer importância para os pacientes, segundo o autor).
Enfim, um bom livro, entre os poucos disponíveis em português sobre o tema.
O jogo sujo envolvendo a aprovação de medicamentos pouco eficazes e com potencial de dano e dependência é assustador, até difícil de acreditar. Alteração de dados de pesquisa, corrupção, ameaças, esquemas entre indústria e agências regulatórias... praticas inimagináveis na área da saúde.
Uma leitura pesada, técnica, detalhada na narrativa de fatos, mas que merece muita atenção, café e paciência. Ao menos os últimos capítulos, que trazem as conclusões do autor, oferecem soluções e esclarecem os mitos da indústria de medicamentos, como os seguintes:
Mito 1. Os medicamentos são caros devido aos elevados custos de descoberta e desenvolvimento
Mito 2. Se não usarmos medicamentos caros, a inovação vai desaparecer
Mito 4. As descobertas vêm da pesquisa financiada pela indústria
Mito 5. As empresas farmacêuticas competem em um mercado livre
Mito 7. Os ensaios clínicos são feitos para melhorar os tratamentos
Mito 9. Não use medicamentos genéricos pois sua potência varia
Conclusão do autor sobre medicamentos psicoativos, "As pessoas estariam melhor se todos medicamentos psicoativos fossem eliminados do mercado, pois os médicos não conseguem manejá-los. Sua disponibilidade cria mais dano do que bem."
Como estudante da área, foi um pouco perturbador ler sobre fraudes relacionadas à um medicamento há poucos dias prescrito para uma paciente. Medicamento com custo mais alto que seu predecessor, quase idênticos em sua composição química, sendo que o antigo havia perdido a patente e pesquisadores foram comprados pelo laboratório para publicar artigos que relatassem uma superioridade do novo medicamento. Obs: ambos mostraram diferença de 1 entre eles e de 3 para o placebo, em uma escala de 60, nos sintomas relatados (diferença sem qualquer importância para os pacientes, segundo o autor).
Enfim, um bom livro, entre os poucos disponíveis em português sobre o tema.
April 4, 2017
I've not been rating these kinds of books before. When I say "these kinds" what I mean is non-fiction. You might have noticed that I'm a sucker for YAlit.
But since I'm an educated Pharmaconomist I felt drawn to this book. I had heard about the author from the media and also from my boss. She said he was an interesting guy, but you have to read his words with a gram of salt - or so to speak. So I did. This book is as said a non-fiction - which means all stuff is based on facts. That's also quite obvious because there's a bunch of sources after each chapter. So even thought the facts in this book is horrible, it's also true. I've always known that the medicine industry is an industry just like many other businesses. So it didn't surprise me that much. When that's said; I cringe when I hear about how many people suffer from the industry; how many people dies, and not always for a good purpose.
I would not recommend this book to everybody. It is a book for someone who knows something about this industry. It's a bit hard to get through, so you'll need some sort of interest in it - or else you will fail getting through it. Knowing about sickness, health, medicine and medical companies is a help to get through this.
But if you work in these fields - I would recommend you to read it! It is interesting and gives another sight to what happens behind the closed doors. No shit, I finished this book quite late the other night, and thought for myself "This is some kind of horror book." - And guess who had a nightmare that night.. Yes - me. It sure isn't a "Feel-good-story".
But since I'm an educated Pharmaconomist I felt drawn to this book. I had heard about the author from the media and also from my boss. She said he was an interesting guy, but you have to read his words with a gram of salt - or so to speak. So I did. This book is as said a non-fiction - which means all stuff is based on facts. That's also quite obvious because there's a bunch of sources after each chapter. So even thought the facts in this book is horrible, it's also true. I've always known that the medicine industry is an industry just like many other businesses. So it didn't surprise me that much. When that's said; I cringe when I hear about how many people suffer from the industry; how many people dies, and not always for a good purpose.
I would not recommend this book to everybody. It is a book for someone who knows something about this industry. It's a bit hard to get through, so you'll need some sort of interest in it - or else you will fail getting through it. Knowing about sickness, health, medicine and medical companies is a help to get through this.
But if you work in these fields - I would recommend you to read it! It is interesting and gives another sight to what happens behind the closed doors. No shit, I finished this book quite late the other night, and thought for myself "This is some kind of horror book." - And guess who had a nightmare that night.. Yes - me. It sure isn't a "Feel-good-story".
December 14, 2018
Three and a half stars
Gotzsche isn't one to mince words. Right from the word go, he dives into comparisons of the pharma industry with the mafia, which is repeated so many times that it sounds like a rant.
Rant it is, but a deserved one. This book is an eye opener, and how! For someone who is a part of the industry, the revelations made me nod in acceptance, for the practices aren't unknown or unheard of. Yet, I found myself being surprised by the extent to which pharma companies stoop low. The path to a drug becoming a blockbuster product is a murky one. Patients' lives hold no value, doctors are bought on a regular basis. Even the FDA isn't exempt. And all this in a country which is supposedly known for its law and order. Imagine the malpractices that might be occurring in nations wherein there isn't a decent food and drug administration set up.
To all the people who pop pills without giving a single thought to the drug they are ingesting-please read this book. Pharma industry might be a long way from being squeaky clean, but at least the common people should up aware of the dangers lurking within a centimetre long pill.
Gotzsche isn't one to mince words. Right from the word go, he dives into comparisons of the pharma industry with the mafia, which is repeated so many times that it sounds like a rant.
Rant it is, but a deserved one. This book is an eye opener, and how! For someone who is a part of the industry, the revelations made me nod in acceptance, for the practices aren't unknown or unheard of. Yet, I found myself being surprised by the extent to which pharma companies stoop low. The path to a drug becoming a blockbuster product is a murky one. Patients' lives hold no value, doctors are bought on a regular basis. Even the FDA isn't exempt. And all this in a country which is supposedly known for its law and order. Imagine the malpractices that might be occurring in nations wherein there isn't a decent food and drug administration set up.
To all the people who pop pills without giving a single thought to the drug they are ingesting-please read this book. Pharma industry might be a long way from being squeaky clean, but at least the common people should up aware of the dangers lurking within a centimetre long pill.
August 1, 2025
Нећу вам затајити, ово је много депресивна књига. Аутор, као што се види из поднаслова, није љубитељ великих фармацеутских компанија, које константно кроз књигу пореди са мафијом. Наравно, њихов главни (и једини?) циљ је згртање огромне количине новца кроз продају разноразних лијекова упитног квалитета, а што се постиже читавом серијом метода које су уредно и детаљно описане у књизи - од поткупљивања доктора кроз разне "поклоне", "донације", "плаћене одморе" и сл., преко манипулација научним истраживањима, лобирања да се са тржишта уклоне јефтини лијекови да би они могли да продају своје вишеструко скупље (а једнако или мање ефикасне и безбједне) и сл., све до буквалног измишљања разноразних болести да би се за њих продавали, је ли, лијекови. У књизи су детаљно описане малверзације оних најбогатијих компанија, међу којима је без сумње и ваша омиљена, чију ковид вакцину сте примили (напомена: овај провокативни антиваксерски коментар је само моја заједљива допуна - аутор се не бави ковидом, што је и нормално јер књига је написана прије десет година). За депресивне детаље са обиљем депресивних референци мораћете да прочитате књигу.
March 31, 2016
Indrukwekkend en schandalig. Peter Gotzsche, die weet waarover hij spreekt, legt bloot hoe de farmaceutische industrie terecht kan vergeleken worden met de maffia. De enige doelstelling van de farmaceutische industrie is het maken van enorme woekerwinsten, ten koste van wat of wie dan ook. Het is schrijnend dat deze informatie wordt weg gecensureerd en dus de media niét haalt... wat dus ook heel veel over onze media zegt.
October 30, 2017
Peter Gotzche systematically dissects one of the great evils of our age. The system of greed, corruption, and negligence in healthcare that has hindered innovation, intimidated reformists, and led to millions of deaths worldwide. To anyone trying to understand why the healthcare is so convoluted and expensive, this is a must read. A strong recommendation to read the last few chapters of the book, filled with solutions for the industry.
April 26, 2023
Jeg har læst den tidligere - i uddrag. Men nu pløjer jeg den igennem for alvor, selv om jeg væmmes ved alt det hårrejsende, som Peter Gøtzsche lægger frem. Det er bestemt ikke en bog for sarte sjæle, men modbydeligt barsk læsning spækket med kilder og information, hvor man som almindelig læser skal holde tungen lige i munden. Ikke mindst pga de mange fagudtryk. Alligevel vil jeg vove at mene, at bogen er en MUST-READ.
September 16, 2024
an eye opener for anyone who is prescribed drugs
I loved the detail of this book with references. All countries are similar and here I thought it was just the U.S. Scary. As patients we have to be wise and do research not depending on what drug companies tell us or what they tell our doctors who provide care.
I loved the detail of this book with references. All countries are similar and here I thought it was just the U.S. Scary. As patients we have to be wise and do research not depending on what drug companies tell us or what they tell our doctors who provide care.
May 11, 2016
Erinomainen ja kiihkokon huuhaa-vapaa katsaus lääketeollisuuden mädännäisyyteen. Gøtzsche ei kyseenalaista lääketiedettä mutta kritisoi lääkkeiden holtitonta käyttöä ja markkinointia ja valvonnan puutetta. Ja ovathan nämä tarina aika karmeita. Jos haluat hermostua monta kertaa, lue tämä.
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