Editorials / Opinion

Pharmaceutical companies are corrupt, people reluctant to speak out

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 is the American blueprint for massive government corruption [“Give Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices,” Opinion, May 2]. It was written specifically by big pharma and pushed by congressman-turned-big-pharma-lobbyist Billy Tauzin.

The bill immorally tied the hands of the largest purchaser on Earth (Medicare), preventing it from using its leverage to negotiate. Ask Costco or Wal-Mart Stores Inc. not to use their leverage for purchasing and they’ll rightly escort you to a padded room.

This high level of corruption is business as usual, forcing Americans to obey immoral laws that allow billions to be stolen by big pharma and their congressional friends. Given Wall Street’s control of Congress as well, to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” is purely treasonous.

The only thing more damaging to the moral fiber of this country was the failure of good people to oppose the continuous lies and corruption. And you’ll be sure to see lots of news reports of a few welfare cheats because corporate theft of tax dollars is perfectly legal.

William McQuaid, Seattle

Collaboration between doctors and pharmaceutical companies can save lives

I read the op-ed regarding collaborations between pharmaceutical researchers and doctors with some interest [“You’ll soon know how much your doctor gets paid by the drug companies,” Opinion, Feb. 17]. For the past several decades I have benefitted from my doctor’s research with pharmaceutical companies.

In fact as a result, I am alive today. When I was just 22, I developed kidney disease. Today I have grandchildren because my doctor worked with Amgen to create a treatment.

The belief that any doctor who shares their expertise with drug researchers is somehow suspect, is misguided. Important collaborations include clinical trials and research grants, which fuel new medicines. It’s estimated that 70 percent of the money for clinical trials in the United States comes from industry rather than from the National Institutes of Health.

Physicians also know the most about their patients and by sharing knowledge with pharmaceutical professionals about how medicines work for patients, like me. We should encourage the advancement of medical knowledge.

–Patty Wood, Kent