Big Pharma Exposed – AgainBy Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h) How would you feel if you learned your elderly mother or your child were being treated with a drug never intended to be used as medication for their illness? Or that they had been prescribed a drug intended to quell psychotic symptoms, even though they weren't experiencing any such symptoms? This apparently happened to millions who were improperly given Risperdal, a Johnson & Johnson-produced drug designed to treat schizophrenia, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the Justice Dept., the drug was promoted as a medication for the treatment of anxiety, agitation, depression, hostility, confusion and other symptoms, even though it was never approved for those uses. The press release details why "global health care giant" Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $2.2 billion settlement for criminal and civil violations principally related to Risperdal. What makes this situation all the more deplorable is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was aware of much of this activity and "repeatedly advised," "cautioned," sent "warnings" and even "repeatedly warned" Johnson & Johnson (and its subsidiaries) about the fraudulent activity, but it took almost a decade before J & J agreed to the settlement. While the settlement is one of the largest in U.S. history, the most alarming part of the Dept. of Justice press release details what Johnson & Johnson was allegedly caught doing – and to whom. The release references a related civil complaint, filed Nov. 4, 2013, that alleges J & J and its subsidiaries:
While you probably assumed or at least suspected much of what you just read, the Justice Department release lays it out in black and white. Taken together, these "allegations" give us an insight into the current drug cartel practices in the United States and likely most of the world. You may have seen a short article about the settlement online or in your local paper and likely noted the sizable $2.2 billion fine. The fine is substantial, but as one news source revealed, "Risperdal brought in $3.1 billion in sales"2 in 2004 alone, which is more than enough to cover the fines almost 10 years later, with money left over. The same news source noted that "Johnson & Johnson was not the only company marketing drugs to older dementia patients and the long-term care facilities where they were treated. Within the past five years, federal officials have reached similar agreements regarding Zyprexa, made by Eli Lilly; Seroquel, made by AstraZeneca; and Depakote, by Abbott, which is now AbbVie."2 (It appears that trying to find a drug company guilty of fraud is like trying to find a motorist exceeding the speed limit on a Los Angeles freeway.) The take-home message here is one of graphic greed. First, everyone is considered a target for drug companies wishing to expand their bottom line: children, elderly, the mentally ill – everyone, but especially those who don't make their own health care decisions. Second, everyone should be considered complicit in the drug companies' sales schemes, (until proven otherwise): educational speakers, medical doctors, pharmacists, mental health professionals – anyone who can write a prescription and get a kickback. Third, all reports, research papers, journal articles, conferences papers, and any information sheets produced by those who have a vested interest in the sale of any drug should be considered suspect and potentially fraudulent. There is no way to know how many millions of elderly, children and others were victims of the unbridled greed displayed by Johnson & Johnson. What is perhaps more important protecting yourself and your family from continuing to be victims of this type of activity. If the drug companies are willing to take advantage of children and the elderly, there is nothing to suggest it isn't happening, to some degree, to everyone. Donald Petersen Jr. is the president and publisher of MPA Media, which produces To Your Health and a variety of other media resources on natural health and wellness, including trade publications for the chiropractic and acupuncture professions. |