Generic drugs are cheaper versions of brand-name drugs that are legally produced after the patent has expired. It is said that its ingredients and effects are almost the same as those of brand-name drugs. The widespread use of generic drugs has been hailed as "the greatest advancement in public health in the 21st century."
Today, generic drugs account for nearly 90% of the pharmaceutical market. But what is the true state of the industry? Is it filled with dishonest counterfeiters, or is it full of discounters who ensure quality?
Catherine Eban conducted a ten-year investigation into the global generic drug industry chain, revealing the safety hazards behind it and the terrible risks it poses to global public health. By interviewing whistleblowers, investigators, medical personnel, and combing through vast amounts of information contained in thousands of pages of confidential FDA documents, Eban exposed an industry rife with fraud and falsified data. In order to reduce costs and maximize profits, business managers do not hesitate to circumvent almost every safety production principle. Patients taking these drugs without their knowledge can have unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening consequences.
All this does not happen in isolation. The generic drug industry is the ultimate touchstone of globalization. Catherine Eban's thrilling documentary guides readers to witness how a public health initiative turned into a horrifying scam.
Reader comments
This book resonated with me very much. I remembered a generic drug I had taken before, but the effect was really not as good as the original drug. The author's investigation is in-depth and exposes problems in the generic drug industry. We who work hard to make money for our dreams also hope that the quality of medicines can be guaranteed. Otherwise, if there is something wrong with our health, it will be useless no matter how much money we make.
Although it is required reading for the course, this book is indeed shocking and a good documentary article in terms of storytelling.
This book resonated with me very much. I remembered a generic drug I had taken before, but the effect was really not as good as the original drug. The author's investigation is in-depth and exposes problems in the generic drug industry. We who work hard to make money for our dreams also hope that the quality of medicines can be guaranteed. Otherwise, if there is something wrong with our health, it will be useless no matter how much money we make.
Although it is required reading for the course, this book is indeed shocking and a good documentary article in terms of storytelling.