I would have given this 5 stars had I read it when it was published way back in 2004. By 2015 I had already read books like it, so the information was old news, however that is ONLY a testament to timing.
The strengths in this book is that IT WAS published before this subject matter exploded, and one of the better ones that the includes many the dirty details in a more specific manner that other leave out. Another strength of this book is the credibility of the author, as opposed to some with lesser credibility and even those who have a "conspiracy theorist" take. Although, I would have liked more information as to just how deep the industry has taken over ALL medical education not just CME. Maybe that would be something to compare with a more up to date look at the industry.

This was fairly good from a policy point of view, though I didn't really learn a whole lot from it that was new.

This was such an upsetting book for me, as I have a PharmD degree and spent 19 years working in retail pharmacies. I agree w/ every word of it. Dr. Angel is a former editor of the "New England Journal of Medicine" so was uniquely positioned to write this book. The only problem w/ the book is that I just finished reading it, but it was written in 2004. The Medicare Part D Act had just been passed but not implemented yet, and of course, the ACA was far in the future. Both Acts just played into the hands of Big Pharma, however. Things need to change, and soon, or Americans are not going to be able to afford their necessary medicines. Ask your doctor questions about all new prescriptions, and nag your legislators about their donations from and lobbying by pharmaceutical companies. We're being raped by them, America. Wake up!!

Interesting book on how drug companies make a profit using the governement as their financial backers. Also, the conflict of interest between drug companies, doctors, and their patients.

Fantastic book exposing the massive global scam in relation to drug companies ( by the way if you liked this book you'll love "The Trillion Dollar Conspiracy" which goes beyond the drug company fiasco)

Anyway my point is books like this are a must for every citizen , I've always had personal feelings about how drugs work which seems inefficient and a false economy .. This book explains why am right and more

Recommend :)

To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
https://Waseem.tv/Blog

You know how think you know how bad something is, but then you read something that makes you think "oh, no. It's much worse than I could have imagined"

You can clearly sense on which side the author is on. She's on the right side, of course, but it would be nice to not be so obvious.

realize the dark side of the industry

This book is a must for anyone working in the health profession! Truly makes you hate drug companies, but I think that's fair.

Very interesting commentary, albeit dated, on the US pharmaceutical industry. However, evidence against the industry is somewhat repetitive, does not fully take into account the capitalistic nature of the society, and offers limited to no solutions on how to practically reform the system, but rather a brief suggestion on an ideal solution. This is one of the most complex industries, complicated by conflicting stakeholders including patients, society, investors, regulators, politicians, etc. A comprehensive reform, as witnessed by the recent attempt of repeal and replace of ACA, is sure to be complicated and rather difficult.

Not anything I didn't know, but good information for people who aren't aware.

tear the temple down

One has to wonder if the good outweighs the bad. This is beyond corruption and reflects as much on our government as on the big pharmaceutical companies. Anything for money. At the end of the day? Stay away from this whole charade of drug pushers.