In the case of healthcare, pharmaceuticals are one of the more controversial topics. Not only does the astronomical cost of pharmaceutical products inspire regular debate in the government but the methods by which drug products are tested sets many lobbyists on a firestorm of criticism. By many perceptions, it may seem as though pharmaceutical companies are tossed around like lost ships in a storm, however, the control that major pharmaceutical companies exercise over many areas of American medicine is astounding.

Control of Products

Pharmaceutical companies, first of all, have serious control over the products that they manufacture. From the very substances that go into making the drugs to the studies and research conducted to determine their safety and effectiveness. In a recent survey, CNN found that pharmaceutical companies often manipulate their research results. According to many critics, medical research is more supported by private funds than it is by the Federal government. Some companies reportedly have gag orders in place that prevent their researchers from revealing all of their study results, a practice that is not only unethical, but may also have fatal consequences.

Philippe Riviera, in his article “How Big Pharmaceutical Companies Control Medicine: Case Notes On Corruption,” cites many ways in which pharmaceutical companies dictate the way medicine is conducted. He argues that the major problem is that Big Pharma is just like any other business-- tainted with financing issues that are creating major problems for doctors and patients.

Marketing of the Product

Once a drug is created, whether the results are presented to the FDA correctly or not, the drug company then takes over the marketing of the product. Mike Adams, a writer for News Target, compares pharmaceutical companies to tobacco companies in many ways, one of them being the advertising and marketing aspect of the two. Adams argues that both tobacco companies and pharmaceutical companies use “direct-to-consumer” advertising to create demand for the products. In other words, consumers are being faced with commercial after commercial of “Ask Your Doctor If **** is right for you.” The drug companies manufacture fictitious situations in the advertisements that people can relate to. And, of course, they then offer them a way out.

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