It can be said that society shapes our values toward drugs and drugs shape society. And while drug prices are at the forefront of many voters’ minds, they are not actually the main reason the U.S. spends so much on health care. Even though pharmaceuticals account for a relatively small share of total US healthcare expenditure, the pharmaceutical industry occupies center stage in the debate on reigning in healthcare costs. Because of this, the industry has had, for many years, an outsized claim to fame and controversy, praise and criticisms, and has remained a convenient scapegoat for everything from perpetuating the so-called “sick care” industry to mounting and financing organized opposition to medical marijuana. However, the industry’s true role in the overall health care system is far more complex than most are aware of.
In his latest book ‘Government, Big Pharma, and The People: A Century of Dis-Ease’, Dr. Mickey C. Smith draws upon his 50 years in Big Pharma and academia to fully characterize what is often thought of as the danse macabre between Big Pharma, government, providers, payers, and patients, leaving readers with a complete understanding of the dynamics of the industry and the controversies surrounding it. Smith concludes his well-researched and compelling work with an inside look at how regulations, marketing, and the press affect Big Pharma’s business for better or for worse. Find out more here.
