Big Pharma and the Constant Gardener – a timeline found in this e-magazine – begins with my 1998 return to my hometown. It covers a 20-year period leading up to news of far-reaching importance, contained in a newsletter from an internationally-recognized physician.
Where Is the Media Regarding These Findings?
In December 2018, David Perlmutter, MD, BC-Neurologist, included results of an extensive meta-analysis about the leading Alzheimer’s medications. The study included 2714 participants and was published in November 2018 by JAMA Network Open – a publication of The American Medical Association.
The study found that the medication – which Mother had been prescribed at the time of diagnosis – not only did not help, but actually worsened cognitive function.
The two most familiar drugs in this study have been marketed under the names, Aricept and Namenda.
Reported in a Publication of The American Medical Association – November 2018
To summarize the findings, Dr. Perlmutter stated in his must-read post, Alzheimer’s Drugs Worsen Cognitive Function:
- “…the very drugs that are being prescribed across our country and indeed around the world with the idea that they are somehow going to treat Alzheimer’s disease are actually associated with a more aggressive decline in cognitive function.”
An Incredible Fraud
Described as “an incredible fraud,” Dr. Perlmutter also referred to the findings as “beyond heart-wrenching.” Indeed, without opening his newsletter late one night – just as I was leaving my desk – I would not know about this outcome.
If it had been the development of new Alzheimer’s drugs, it would be “breaking news,” of course. Instead, it’s the news of drugs which cause more rapid decline of people living with Alzheimer’s – and, in some cases, grave illness and death.
Due to Mother’s ongoing nausea of many months, Aricept was the pharmaceutical which prompted my emergency return to my hometown – thus changing my life forever. It had been assumed that her ongoing period of nausea was the progression of the diagnosis. How many times – around the world – are these symptoms experienced by people living with Alzheimer’s when given this drug?
At the Ranch
In the early months of my arrival, I had worked, of course, with primary care physicians and neurologists with whom my parents had established relationships. This involved making regular calls to physician offices to report anecdotal observations related to these powerful medications – and seeking adjustments in order to find the “proper dosage.”
But we had rather quickly concluded, within a matter of days, that there was no proper dosage of Aricept for Mother. A few years later (2003), the same attention was given to Dad when prescribed the drug, Zyprexa.
Promoting Public Health of the Nation
Our timeline also includes news of the January 2018 appointment of the new Secretary, Health and Human Services – Alex Azar. As an Eli Lilly executive, he had presided during a surge in congressional lobbying over a corporate settlement with the Justice Department for its improper marketing of Zyprexa. It was being given to an elder demographic, including Dad, mentioned in above paragraph.
In 2009 – Eli Lilly pled guilty to criminal misdemeanor and settled for $1.42 billion, for illegally marketing Zyprexa to physicians for “off-label” use with elders with dementia. It was the largest criminal fine for an individual corporation ever imposed in a U.S. criminal prosecution.
His appointment to Health and Human Services in early 2018 was easily approved by the Senate – without the blink of a congressional eye.
Everybody a Winner, Except For…
Alex Azar – the leader of a corporation whose criminal activity caused suffering and death to a marginalized and vulnerable population of elders – was now appointed to lead the health of the nation.
In other words, everybody was a winner – except for elders and families who were mistreated by this large Indiana corporation under Azar’s leadership.
And, subsequently, it is the American people who are now suffering – during a pandemic which was largely preventable during his term of leadership.
“A Crime Against Humanity”
A US attorney called a 2012 settlement with Abbott Laboratories for illegal misbranding during those years an “elder abuse case.”
This second medication – Depakote – was given to Dad during an overnight stay at a regional hospital in 2001.
Abbott Laboratories paid $1.6 billion over misbranding this drug. “What they did was criminal – a crime against humanity,” according to the US Attorney.
Back to Business as Usual
Following these settlements – to the tune of billions of dollars – all were allowed to return to business as usual. We received notice of these lawsuits, but did not participate. Our timeline can be found here.
Tools for Accessing News You Can Use
So it was with interest that I found two tools in an article which
can help others become better informed about how much our congressional members get paid by Big Pharma.
Until the opioid crisis, many people were not aware of Big Pharma’s influence. To shed light on the extent of the “pharma cash to congress” is to better understand the lack of moral clarity to be found in our legislative branch.
The tools will show this phenomenon crosses party lines.
However, it is noteworthy that Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, retains his title as “leader of the pack” – by being named a member of the “million-dollar club.”
Three Clicks to Becoming Informed
1) Please search for your congressional lawmakers here.
2) Search the first tool on the page by entering name and state of your congressional lawmakers to learn the amount they have accepted from Big Pharma.
3) Then search the second tool by entering the names of pharma companies to discover who the biggest pharma contributors are to your state’s senators and representatives.
Then, please take action.
KHN’s coverage of prescription drug development, costs and pricing is supported in part by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Posted by: Susan Troyer
