[Applause] welcome to the United States of
welcome to the United States of
welcome to the United States of addiction where we make up less than 5%
addiction where we make up less than 5%
addiction where we make up less than 5% of the world’s population and yet
of the world’s population and yet
of the world’s population and yet consume over 75% of the world’s
consume over 75% of the world’s
consume over 75% of the world’s medication we are drugged and over
medication we are drugged and over
medication we are drugged and over medicated our culture is drawn to
medicated our culture is drawn to
medicated our culture is drawn to addictive behavior and drugs have become
addictive behavior and drugs have become
addictive behavior and drugs have become our favorite pastime
our favorite pastime
our favorite pastime now this isn’t about illegal drugs this
now this isn’t about illegal drugs this
now this isn’t about illegal drugs this is about the drugs we get from our
is about the drugs we get from our
is about the drugs we get from our doctors drugs we get from our pharmacies
doctors drugs we get from our pharmacies
doctors drugs we get from our pharmacies drugs we trust our safe to consume if
drugs we trust our safe to consume if
drugs we trust our safe to consume if they’re on the market legal medicinal
they’re on the market legal medicinal
they’re on the market legal medicinal drugs prescription drug abuse is an
drugs prescription drug abuse is an
drugs prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that has been greatly
epidemic that has been greatly
epidemic that has been greatly overshadowed by society stigma of drugs
overshadowed by society stigma of drugs
overshadowed by society stigma of drugs as well as concealed by our
as well as concealed by our
as well as concealed by our pharmaceutical industry we’ve started a
pharmaceutical industry we’ve started a
pharmaceutical industry we’ve started a war on drugs in a multitude of other
war on drugs in a multitude of other
war on drugs in a multitude of other countries and yet somehow forgot to
countries and yet somehow forgot to
countries and yet somehow forgot to touch on the war on people coming from
touch on the war on people coming from
touch on the war on people coming from our own industry and attacking our own
our own industry and attacking our own
our own industry and attacking our own people here in the United States of
people here in the United States of
people here in the United States of addiction we’ve all been lied to and we
addiction we’ve all been lied to and we
addiction we’ve all been lied to and we are all at risk
are all at risk
are all at risk my name is Samira as you may have heard
my name is Samira as you may have heard
my name is Samira as you may have heard some people yellow as I walked out I am
some people yellow as I walked out I am
some people yellow as I walked out I am going into pharmacy school in the fall
going into pharmacy school in the fall
going into pharmacy school in the fall I work in clinical and retail pharmacy
I work in clinical and retail pharmacy
I work in clinical and retail pharmacy and I’ve been a lifelong consumer of
and I’ve been a lifelong consumer of
and I’ve been a lifelong consumer of medication as we’ve all been we’ve all
medication as we’ve all been we’ve all
medication as we’ve all been we’ve all taken the Tylenol or Advil or cough
taken the Tylenol or Advil or cough
taken the Tylenol or Advil or cough syrup they’re stronger or prescription
syrup they’re stronger or prescription
syrup they’re stronger or prescription pills and that’s fine medication is
pills and that’s fine medication is
pills and that’s fine medication is supposed to improve our quality of life
supposed to improve our quality of life
supposed to improve our quality of life we should use it yet too often we’re
we should use it yet too often we’re
we should use it yet too often we’re misinformed about the drugs we think we
misinformed about the drugs we think we
misinformed about the drugs we think we know the drugs we call safe too often
know the drugs we call safe too often
know the drugs we call safe too often our health isn’t as valuable as the most
our health isn’t as valuable as the most
our health isn’t as valuable as the most profitable medication that can be
profitable medication that can be
profitable medication that can be prescribed off of us now don’t get me
prescribed off of us now don’t get me
prescribed off of us now don’t get me wrong the goal here today is not to
wrong the goal here today is not to
wrong the goal here today is not to smear the name of any healthcare
smear the name of any healthcare
smear the name of any healthcare industry we’ve achieved historic feats
industry we’ve achieved historic feats
industry we’ve achieved historic feats in this name of medicine and science
in this name of medicine and science
in this name of medicine and science they’ve saved millions across the world
they’ve saved millions across the world
they’ve saved millions across the world but the greatest healthcare feat we have
but the greatest healthcare feat we have
but the greatest healthcare feat we have yet to achieve as a society of informed
yet to achieve as a society of informed
yet to achieve as a society of informed people I love this profession I wouldn’t
people I love this profession I wouldn’t
people I love this profession I wouldn’t be up here if I didn’t I’d probably be
be up here if I didn’t I’d probably be
be up here if I didn’t I’d probably be in bed watching Netflix right about now
in bed watching Netflix right about now
in bed watching Netflix right about now but I love it because it pushes me to be
but I love it because it pushes me to be
but I love it because it pushes me to be better than I am and I watch it enrich
better than I am and I watch it enrich
better than I am and I watch it enrich lives every day but from $300 diabetic
lives every day but from $300 diabetic
lives every day but from $300 diabetic supplies to dangerously addictive pills
supplies to dangerously addictive pills
supplies to dangerously addictive pills I also watch this industry take
I also watch this industry take
I also watch this industry take advantage of us every day if we want to
advantage of us every day if we want to
advantage of us every day if we want to take back control of our system we have
take back control of our system we have
take back control of our system we have to understand what gave our power away
to understand what gave our power away
to understand what gave our power away now our industry encourages our culture
now our industry encourages our culture
now our industry encourages our culture of drugged
of drugged
of drugged pendants all you have to do is turn on
pendants all you have to do is turn on
pendants all you have to do is turn on the TV to see it and we all love those
the TV to see it and we all love those
the TV to see it and we all love those commercials do you feel exhausted and
commercials do you feel exhausted and
commercials do you feel exhausted and worn down all the time
worn down all the time
worn down all the time do you find trouble motivating yourself
do you find trouble motivating yourself
do you find trouble motivating yourself to even the simplest of tasks if you
to even the simplest of tasks if you
to even the simplest of tasks if you have trouble sleeping and even more
have trouble sleeping and even more
have trouble sleeping and even more trouble waking you get cold when it’s
trouble waking you get cold when it’s
trouble waking you get cold when it’s chilly hungry if you don’t eat if I were
chilly hungry if you don’t eat if I were
chilly hungry if you don’t eat if I were to ask everyone in here the same set of
to ask everyone in here the same set of
to ask everyone in here the same set of questions everyone would answer yes at
questions everyone would answer yes at
questions everyone would answer yes at least once I call these the symptoms of
least once I call these the symptoms of
least once I call these the symptoms of life and these commercials are deceptive
life and these commercials are deceptive
life and these commercials are deceptive because they can paint something that’s
because they can paint something that’s
because they can paint something that’s normal and natural as part of an illness
normal and natural as part of an illness
normal and natural as part of an illness that you need this magic pill to fix
that you need this magic pill to fix
that you need this magic pill to fix their mantra there’s always something to
their mantra there’s always something to
their mantra there’s always something to fix about yourself and pills oil pills
fix about yourself and pills oil pills
fix about yourself and pills oil pills exist to fix you now I used to take
exist to fix you now I used to take
exist to fix you now I used to take about two painkillers a day I was never
about two painkillers a day I was never
about two painkillers a day I was never in any physical pain but I’d feel
in any physical pain but I’d feel
in any physical pain but I’d feel stressed and pressured by silly things
stressed and pressured by silly things
stressed and pressured by silly things and I choose the pill because it was a
and I choose the pill because it was a
and I choose the pill because it was a quick fix
quick fix
quick fix as my tolerance grew two became three
as my tolerance grew two became three
as my tolerance grew two became three than four than six pills a day this is
than four than six pills a day this is
than four than six pills a day this is like my caffeine but it was always a
like my caffeine but it was always a
like my caffeine but it was always a temporary fixed and never dealt with the
temporary fixed and never dealt with the
temporary fixed and never dealt with the root of the problem and it was never
root of the problem and it was never
root of the problem and it was never quite enough when you take a step back
quite enough when you take a step back
quite enough when you take a step back from the thousands of manipulated
from the thousands of manipulated
from the thousands of manipulated commercials we’re bombarded with you see
commercials we’re bombarded with you see
commercials we’re bombarded with you see a different side of these drugs
a different side of these drugs
a different side of these drugs prescription drugs harm more people in
prescription drugs harm more people in
prescription drugs harm more people in the United States then illicit drugs do
the United States then illicit drugs do
the United States then illicit drugs do according to DEA this is the number of
according to DEA this is the number of
according to DEA this is the number of people that die each year from cocaine
people that die each year from cocaine
people that die each year from cocaine heroin and marijuana abuse combined by
heroin and marijuana abuse combined by
heroin and marijuana abuse combined by contrast prescription drugs killed
contrast prescription drugs killed
contrast prescription drugs killed almost consistently twice the number of
almost consistently twice the number of
almost consistently twice the number of people each year the CDC reports that
people each year the CDC reports that
people each year the CDC reports that someone in this country dies
someone in this country dies
someone in this country dies prescription drug abuse every 19 minutes
prescription drug abuse every 19 minutes
prescription drug abuse every 19 minutes that’s a little over 500 people a week
that’s a little over 500 people a week
that’s a little over 500 people a week the size of this audience and it doesn’t
the size of this audience and it doesn’t
the size of this audience and it doesn’t exactly make sense because our legal
exactly make sense because our legal
exactly make sense because our legal drugs are supposed to be our safe drugs
drugs are supposed to be our safe drugs
drugs are supposed to be our safe drugs if you take a look at our FDA approval
if you take a look at our FDA approval
if you take a look at our FDA approval process from left to right they undergo
process from left to right they undergo
process from left to right they undergo a strenuous application process and
a strenuous application process and
a strenuous application process and multiple clinical trials before they’re
multiple clinical trials before they’re
multiple clinical trials before they’re approved by the FDA now this process can
approved by the FDA now this process can
approved by the FDA now this process can take over 10 years and over 2.6 billion
take over 10 years and over 2.6 billion
take over 10 years and over 2.6 billion dollars per drug and out of all the
dollars per drug and out of all the
dollars per drug and out of all the drugs that started only about a handful
drugs that started only about a handful
drugs that started only about a handful make it out so that’s a lot of bad drugs
make it out so that’s a lot of bad drugs
make it out so that’s a lot of bad drugs that get weeded out that’s our system
that get weeded out that’s our system
that get weeded out that’s our system working yet the FDA’s drug recall rate
working yet the FDA’s drug recall rate
working yet the FDA’s drug recall rate is at an all-time high we have more
is at an all-time high we have more
is at an all-time high we have more drugs than ever being approved to be on
drugs than ever being approved to be on
drugs than ever being approved to be on the market
the market
the market only to be deemed unsafe and removed
only to be deemed unsafe and removed
only to be deemed unsafe and removed shortly after so my question is what are
shortly after so my question is what are
shortly after so my question is what are the loopholes to our system how did they
the loopholes to our system how did they
the loopholes to our system how did they flip past the radar now keep in mind
flip past the radar now keep in mind
flip past the radar now keep in mind there’s a lot at stake for the drug
there’s a lot at stake for the drug
there’s a lot at stake for the drug companies in this process that’s a lot
companies in this process that’s a lot
companies in this process that’s a lot of invested time and money that can go
of invested time and money that can go
of invested time and money that can go to waste for these for-profit companies
to waste for these for-profit companies
to waste for these for-profit companies so even if they realize their drug isn’t
so even if they realize their drug isn’t
so even if they realize their drug isn’t as safe or effective as they wanted it
as safe or effective as they wanted it
as safe or effective as they wanted it to be they have to push it through the
to be they have to push it through the
to be they have to push it through the system somehow to turn a profit they do
system somehow to turn a profit they do
system somehow to turn a profit they do this by using what I like to call the
this by using what I like to call the
this by using what I like to call the three golden rules of pharma these are
three golden rules of pharma these are
three golden rules of pharma these are the loopholes these companies have found
the loopholes these companies have found
the loopholes these companies have found across our system that allow them to
across our system that allow them to
across our system that allow them to miss inform us and turn a profit golden
miss inform us and turn a profit golden
miss inform us and turn a profit golden rule number one regulate the regulation
rule number one regulate the regulation
rule number one regulate the regulation now the FDA controls the fate of all
now the FDA controls the fate of all
now the FDA controls the fate of all proposed drugs as a drug company you
proposed drugs as a drug company you
proposed drugs as a drug company you want a very good relationship with the
want a very good relationship with the
want a very good relationship with the FDA this means giving money to review
FDA this means giving money to review
FDA this means giving money to review board members and congressmen that
board members and congressmen that
board members and congressmen that influence drug legislation as well as
influence drug legislation as well as
influence drug legislation as well as paying above and beyond the required
paying above and beyond the required
paying above and beyond the required drug fees in order to speed up their
drug fees in order to speed up their
drug fees in order to speed up their approval process for your drug the FDA’s
approval process for your drug the FDA’s
approval process for your drug the FDA’s budget exponentially grows each year and
budget exponentially grows each year and
budget exponentially grows each year and pharma contributions account for over
pharma contributions account for over
pharma contributions account for over 80% of that growth each year it’s easier
80% of that growth each year it’s easier
80% of that growth each year it’s easier to control regulation against you when
to control regulation against you when
to control regulation against you when you basically own the agencies take
you basically own the agencies take
you basically own the agencies take antidepressants for example now for
antidepressants for example now for
antidepressants for example now for millions these drugs are a miracle for
millions these drugs are a miracle for
millions these drugs are a miracle for others not so much after concerns about
others not so much after concerns about
others not so much after concerns about antidepressants and boosting suicidality
antidepressants and boosting suicidality
antidepressants and boosting suicidality and violence some patients the US fda
and violence some patients the US fda
and violence some patients the US fda held a hearing in 1991 discuss the
held a hearing in 1991 discuss the
held a hearing in 1991 discuss the safety of antidepressant what troubles
safety of antidepressant what troubles
safety of antidepressant what troubles me is that the majority of the 41 FDA
me is that the majority of the 41 FDA
me is that the majority of the 41 FDA review board members in that hearing had
review board members in that hearing had
review board members in that hearing had some financial ties to the companies
some financial ties to the companies
some financial ties to the companies that created these drugs there was such
that created these drugs there was such
that created these drugs there was such a conflict of interest that they
a conflict of interest that they
a conflict of interest that they released the statement titled conflict
released the statement titled conflict
released the statement titled conflict of interest that the hearing will deal
of interest that the hearing will deal
of interest that the hearing will deal with a no specific issue dealing with a
with a no specific issue dealing with a
with a no specific issue dealing with a specific product or sponsor meaning that
specific product or sponsor meaning that
specific product or sponsor meaning that the drugs are going to be looked at in
the drugs are going to be looked at in
the drugs are going to be looked at in very general terms no one drug or
very general terms no one drug or
very general terms no one drug or company is going to be targeted and
company is going to be targeted and
company is going to be targeted and possibly regulated rule number one
possibly regulated rule number one
possibly regulated rule number one regulate the regulation rule number two
regulate the regulation rule number two
regulate the regulation rule number two publish only the positive now before
publish only the positive now before
publish only the positive now before approval the FDA is to see to large
approval the FDA is to see to large
approval the FDA is to see to large scale positive studies supporting that a
scale positive studies supporting that a
scale positive studies supporting that a drug is an effective treatment versus a
drug is an effective treatment versus a
drug is an effective treatment versus a placebo for a particular ailment
placebo for a particular ailment
placebo for a particular ailment naturally they don’t want to approve a
naturally they don’t want to approve a
naturally they don’t want to approve a drug that fails that what it’s supposed
drug that fails that what it’s supposed
drug that fails that what it’s supposed to do so too is the magic number
to do so too is the magic number
to do so too is the magic number and since drug companies fund and
and since drug companies fund and
and since drug companies fund and conduct their own clinical trials they
conduct their own clinical trials they
conduct their own clinical trials they control which studies they publish and
control which studies they publish and
control which studies they publish and which studies they bury this can be
which studies they bury this can be
which studies they bury this can be particularly dangerous say we conducted
particularly dangerous say we conducted
particularly dangerous say we conducted 100 studies and 98 of them showed our
100 studies and 98 of them showed our
100 studies and 98 of them showed our drug had seriously disturbing side
drug had seriously disturbing side
drug had seriously disturbing side effects we could legally only disclose
effects we could legally only disclose
effects we could legally only disclose the two studies we favored that is being
the two studies we favored that is being
the two studies we favored that is being reckless with our health and it’s not
reckless with our health and it’s not
reckless with our health and it’s not exactly hypothetical if you look at the
exactly hypothetical if you look at the
exactly hypothetical if you look at the drug prozac in 2005 in 2005 internal
drug prozac in 2005 in 2005 internal
drug prozac in 2005 in 2005 internal documents about side effect information
documents about side effect information
documents about side effect information and clinical trial data about the pill
and clinical trial data about the pill
and clinical trial data about the pill prozac were leaked to the media these
prozac were leaked to the media these
prozac were leaked to the media these documents were dated a year after prozac
documents were dated a year after prozac
documents were dated a year after prozac was approved to be on the market and
was approved to be on the market and
was approved to be on the market and they showed that patients on Prozac are
they showed that patients on Prozac are
they showed that patients on Prozac are 12 times more likely to commit suicide
12 times more likely to commit suicide
12 times more likely to commit suicide through patients on other major
through patients on other major
through patients on other major antidepressants and eight times more
antidepressants and eight times more
antidepressants and eight times more likely to commit intentional injuries
likely to commit intentional injuries
likely to commit intentional injuries prozac had been on the market for almost
prozac had been on the market for almost
prozac had been on the market for almost two decades at that point without any
two decades at that point without any
two decades at that point without any warning labels for the side effects
warning labels for the side effects
warning labels for the side effects death company knew about but chose to
death company knew about but chose to
death company knew about but chose to conceal this is a drug that was also
conceal this is a drug that was also
conceal this is a drug that was also marketed for children now today the FDA
marketed for children now today the FDA
marketed for children now today the FDA does require suicide risk warning labels
does require suicide risk warning labels
does require suicide risk warning labels on all antidepressants take the birth
on all antidepressants take the birth
on all antidepressants take the birth control yaz and yasmin were found to
control yaz and yasmin were found to
control yaz and yasmin were found to increase the risk for blood clotting two
increase the risk for blood clotting two
increase the risk for blood clotting two times regular birth control pills
times regular birth control pills
times regular birth control pills patients on the drugs iPrEx on
patients on the drugs iPrEx on
patients on the drugs iPrEx on antipsychotic medication are three and a
antipsychotic medication are three and a
antipsychotic medication are three and a half times more likely to develop
half times more likely to develop
half times more likely to develop diabetes than patients not on the drug
diabetes than patients not on the drug
diabetes than patients not on the drug so I defect information that was
so I defect information that was
so I defect information that was conveniently left out of the original
conveniently left out of the original
conveniently left out of the original publication then this is particularly
publication then this is particularly
publication then this is particularly dangerous because adverse effects to
dangerous because adverse effects to
dangerous because adverse effects to medication is the fourth leading cause
medication is the fourth leading cause
medication is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States after
of death in the United States after
of death in the United States after heart disease cancer and Stroke
heart disease cancer and Stroke
heart disease cancer and Stroke rule number two publish only the
rule number two publish only the
rule number two publish only the positive rule number three involve
positive rule number three involve
positive rule number three involve everyone with a financial interest now
everyone with a financial interest now
everyone with a financial interest now it may take a village to raise a child
it may take a village to raise a child
it may take a village to raise a child but it takes an army to push forward a
but it takes an army to push forward a
but it takes an army to push forward a drug approval is only half the battle
drug approval is only half the battle
drug approval is only half the battle the other half is selling it in such a
the other half is selling it in such a
the other half is selling it in such a crowded market of extremely similar
crowded market of extremely similar
crowded market of extremely similar drugs you have to make your drug more
drugs you have to make your drug more
drugs you have to make your drug more appealing for physicians to prescribe
appealing for physicians to prescribe
appealing for physicians to prescribe you can buy bribe doctors with free
you can buy bribe doctors with free
you can buy bribe doctors with free dinners trips dinner
dinners trips dinner
dinners trips dinner money more dinners in order to approve
money more dinners in order to approve
money more dinners in order to approve your drug over others you can pay
your drug over others you can pay
your drug over others you can pay insurance companies to establish your
insurance companies to establish your
insurance companies to establish your drug as their preferred drug for a
drug as their preferred drug for a
drug as their preferred drug for a diagnosis you can also reward
diagnosis you can also reward
diagnosis you can also reward individuals willing to push forward your
individuals willing to push forward your
individuals willing to push forward your drugs with high-ranking jobs at the very
drugs with high-ranking jobs at the very
drugs with high-ranking jobs at the very drug companies for example they’re
drug companies for example they’re
drug companies for example they’re evolving door phenomena where you have
evolving door phenomena where you have
evolving door phenomena where you have FDA officials ending up with
FDA officials ending up with
FDA officials ending up with high-ranking jobs at the very drug
high-ranking jobs at the very drug
high-ranking jobs at the very drug companies they help approve drugs for if
companies they help approve drugs for if
companies they help approve drugs for if you look at the diagnostic and
you look at the diagnostic and
you look at the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
statistical manual of mental disorders
statistical manual of mental disorders or DSM for short this is basically the
or DSM for short this is basically the
or DSM for short this is basically the diagnostic standards for every
diagnostic standards for every
diagnostic standards for every psychiatric disorder recognized in the
psychiatric disorder recognized in the
psychiatric disorder recognized in the United States basically a mental
United States basically a mental
United States basically a mental diagnosis has to be in this book before
diagnosis has to be in this book before
diagnosis has to be in this book before medication can be approved for its
medication can be approved for its
medication can be approved for its treatment and what interests me about
treatment and what interests me about
treatment and what interests me about this is when you look at the task force
this is when you look at the task force
this is when you look at the task force team that puts together this book each
team that puts together this book each
team that puts together this book each version over 70% of them have financial
version over 70% of them have financial
version over 70% of them have financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry the
ties to the pharmaceutical industry the
ties to the pharmaceutical industry the more diagnoses they create that existing
more diagnoses they create that existing
more diagnoses they create that existing drugs can be marketed for the more money
drugs can be marketed for the more money
drugs can be marketed for the more money the psychiatrics and drug companies
the psychiatrics and drug companies
the psychiatrics and drug companies alike can make rule number three involve
alike can make rule number three involve
alike can make rule number three involve everyone with a financial interest we
everyone with a financial interest we
everyone with a financial interest we have a system that is harming everyone
have a system that is harming everyone
have a system that is harming everyone that is on medication and everyone that
that is on medication and everyone that
that is on medication and everyone that knows someone that is on medication
knows someone that is on medication
knows someone that is on medication we’re encouraged to depend on drugs for
we’re encouraged to depend on drugs for
we’re encouraged to depend on drugs for our problems and then misinformed about
our problems and then misinformed about
our problems and then misinformed about those very drugs so where do we go from
those very drugs so where do we go from
those very drugs so where do we go from here well for starters we have to break
here well for starters we have to break
here well for starters we have to break the golden rules from a policy
the golden rules from a policy
the golden rules from a policy perspective this means regulating the
perspective this means regulating the
perspective this means regulating the companies and their contributions to the
companies and their contributions to the
companies and their contributions to the FDA publishing all clinical trial data
FDA publishing all clinical trial data
FDA publishing all clinical trial data and adverse effects as well as only
and adverse effects as well as only
and adverse effects as well as only involving individuals known for health
involving individuals known for health
involving individuals known for health and safety interests not money interest
and safety interests not money interest
and safety interests not money interest our medications should not be tied to
our medications should not be tied to
our medications should not be tied to someone’s financial agenda there should
someone’s financial agenda there should
someone’s financial agenda there should be no conflict of interest when it comes
be no conflict of interest when it comes
be no conflict of interest when it comes to public health now when if you look
to public health now when if you look
to public health now when if you look across the globe we’re the only ones
across the globe we’re the only ones
across the globe we’re the only ones facing this problem because of how we
facing this problem because of how we
facing this problem because of how we approach health now our process is
approach health now our process is
approach health now our process is considered a gold standard across many
considered a gold standard across many
considered a gold standard across many nation within our system we eat chicken
nation within our system we eat chicken
nation within our system we eat chicken we need to prove that our drug is
we need to prove that our drug is
we need to prove that our drug is tremendously harmful before it can ever
tremendously harmful before it can ever
tremendously harmful before it can ever be regulated in addition Missouri is the
be regulated in addition Missouri is the
be regulated in addition Missouri is the only state in the United States without
only state in the United States without
only state in the United States without a prescription drug monitoring program
a prescription drug monitoring program
a prescription drug monitoring program that is being reckless with our health
that is being reckless with our health
that is being reckless with our health on the other hand if you look at the
on the other hand if you look at the
on the other hand if you look at the European Union they
European Union they
European Union they all very precautionary principle if a
all very precautionary principle if a
all very precautionary principle if a drug has even the slightest potential of
drug has even the slightest potential of
drug has even the slightest potential of harm protective and preventive action is
harm protective and preventive action is
harm protective and preventive action is taken they refused to be reckless with
taken they refused to be reckless with
taken they refused to be reckless with health that is where we defer and that
health that is where we defer and that
health that is where we defer and that is the change we need to make now we can
is the change we need to make now we can
is the change we need to make now we can crack down on these companies and
crack down on these companies and
crack down on these companies and regulate the system all we want but we
regulate the system all we want but we
regulate the system all we want but we need to take a moment to look at
need to take a moment to look at
need to take a moment to look at ourselves because from a cultural
ourselves because from a cultural
ourselves because from a cultural perspective who we allow these loopholes
perspective who we allow these loopholes
perspective who we allow these loopholes we feed into the drug commercials and
we feed into the drug commercials and
we feed into the drug commercials and the drug dependence culture we don’t ask
the drug dependence culture we don’t ask
the drug dependence culture we don’t ask enough questions about our medications
enough questions about our medications
enough questions about our medications and we’re quick to exchange a pill for a
and we’re quick to exchange a pill for a
and we’re quick to exchange a pill for a problem for a pill no one is happy about
problem for a pill no one is happy about
problem for a pill no one is happy about paying absurd front prices for
paying absurd front prices for
paying absurd front prices for medication they can they don’t know all
medication they can they don’t know all
medication they can they don’t know all the risks for but not many have the
the risks for but not many have the
the risks for but not many have the incentive to protest it’s only when a
incentive to protest it’s only when a
incentive to protest it’s only when a drug is harming someone close to us or
drug is harming someone close to us or
drug is harming someone close to us or is costing us a fortune that we care
is costing us a fortune that we care
is costing us a fortune that we care about regulating it at all
about regulating it at all
about regulating it at all that is being reckless with our health
that is being reckless with our health
that is being reckless with our health now of all the major players of this
now of all the major players of this
now of all the major players of this game we the citizens stand to lose and
game we the citizens stand to lose and
game we the citizens stand to lose and gain the most how are these drug
gain the most how are these drug
gain the most how are these drug companies powerful well they create our
companies powerful well they create our
companies powerful well they create our duct supplies how are we powerful were
duct supplies how are we powerful were
duct supplies how are we powerful were their customers and like any good
their customers and like any good
their customers and like any good business this industry has to cater to
business this industry has to cater to
business this industry has to cater to its customers in order to survive and we
its customers in order to survive and we
its customers in order to survive and we have more power there than we truly
have more power there than we truly
have more power there than we truly realize if you look at the EpiPen
realize if you look at the EpiPen
realize if you look at the EpiPen controversy you may have heard about it
controversy you may have heard about it
controversy you may have heard about it spanning on a couple years back that’s
spanning on a couple years back that’s
spanning on a couple years back that’s when the price of this life-saving
when the price of this life-saving
when the price of this life-saving epinephrine injectable increased by over
epinephrine injectable increased by over
epinephrine injectable increased by over 600% because it’s company Milan no
600% because it’s company Milan no
600% because it’s company Milan no longer had competition in the market I
longer had competition in the market I
longer had competition in the market I want to walk you through a visual
want to walk you through a visual
want to walk you through a visual timeline feed event of the entire
timeline feed event of the entire
timeline feed event of the entire scandal you know the beginning the
scandal you know the beginning the
scandal you know the beginning the reaction was very slow the people that
reaction was very slow the people that
reaction was very slow the people that were effective spoke out but not nearly
were effective spoke out but not nearly
were effective spoke out but not nearly enough and more and then more price
enough and more and then more price
enough and more and then more price hikes went up more people couldn’t
hikes went up more people couldn’t
hikes went up more people couldn’t afford the medications even EMTs had to
afford the medications even EMTs had to
afford the medications even EMTs had to use syringes instead of the medication
use syringes instead of the medication
use syringes instead of the medication because it was too expensive to even use
because it was too expensive to even use
because it was too expensive to even use professionally now by July online
professionally now by July online
professionally now by July online petitions on websites like change.org
petitions on websites like change.org
petitions on websites like change.org started for Congress to investigate the
started for Congress to investigate the
started for Congress to investigate the price gouging and then the media picked
price gouging and then the media picked
price gouging and then the media picked up the story and from there it blew up
up the story and from there it blew up
up the story and from there it blew up by August 20 tweets a day increased to
by August 20 tweets a day increased to
by August 20 tweets a day increased to 500
500
500 thousand eventually reaching over ten
thousand eventually reaching over ten
thousand eventually reaching over ten thousand tweets a day from doctors and
thousand tweets a day from doctors and
thousand tweets a day from doctors and consumers alike sharing their outrage
consumers alike sharing their outrage
consumers alike sharing their outrage and calling for change in the aftermath
and calling for change in the aftermath
and calling for change in the aftermath Milan released a cheaper generic and CBS
Milan released a cheaper generic and CBS
Milan released a cheaper generic and CBS competed by creating an even cheaper
competed by creating an even cheaper
competed by creating an even cheaper generic in essence we demanded a new
generic in essence we demanded a new
generic in essence we demanded a new supply and the industry rose to meet our
supply and the industry rose to meet our
supply and the industry rose to meet our demands and the EpiPen scandal is by no
demands and the EpiPen scandal is by no
demands and the EpiPen scandal is by no means one of a kind and if you look
means one of a kind and if you look
means one of a kind and if you look across our history of Medicine protest
across our history of Medicine protest
across our history of Medicine protest you see the protests for affordable
you see the protests for affordable
you see the protests for affordable health care – cancer drugs you see the
health care – cancer drugs you see the
health care – cancer drugs you see the protest against the over drugging of
protest against the over drugging of
protest against the over drugging of veterans against the use of psychiatric
veterans against the use of psychiatric
veterans against the use of psychiatric drugs on children against affordable
drugs on children against affordable
drugs on children against affordable access to AIDS treatments there is not a
access to AIDS treatments there is not a
access to AIDS treatments there is not a shortage of battles we have taken on and
shortage of battles we have taken on and
shortage of battles we have taken on and have yet to take on and with social
have yet to take on and with social
have yet to take on and with social media it’s easier than ever to spread
media it’s easier than ever to spread
media it’s easier than ever to spread the word and educate the community
the word and educate the community
the word and educate the community around us in the words of John F Kennedy
around us in the words of John F Kennedy
around us in the words of John F Kennedy only uneducated and informed people will
only uneducated and informed people will
only uneducated and informed people will be a free people we have to understand
be a free people we have to understand
be a free people we have to understand how our culture impacts this industry
how our culture impacts this industry
how our culture impacts this industry and how we can protect ourselves and I
and how we can protect ourselves and I
and how we can protect ourselves and I suggest we do this by creating our own
suggest we do this by creating our own
suggest we do this by creating our own set of rules just like they have their
set of rules just like they have their
set of rules just like they have their rules we get to have our rules and I
rules we get to have our rules and I
rules we get to have our rules and I call them the United States of recovery
call them the United States of recovery
call them the United States of recovery rules before asking your for taking any
rules before asking your for taking any
rules before asking your for taking any medications ask yourself these set of
medications ask yourself these set of
medications ask yourself these set of questions number one do I need this drug
questions number one do I need this drug
questions number one do I need this drug is this the Pro is this drug treating a
is this the Pro is this drug treating a
is this the Pro is this drug treating a physiological problem or simply a
physiological problem or simply a
physiological problem or simply a symptom of life problem rule number two
symptom of life problem rule number two
symptom of life problem rule number two do I know the side effects of this drug
do I know the side effects of this drug
do I know the side effects of this drug research your medication
research your medication
research your medication ask your doctor is about the medic about
ask your doctor is about the medic about
ask your doctor is about the medic about the side effects of the medication look
the side effects of the medication look
the side effects of the medication look under study is published by the FDA
under study is published by the FDA
under study is published by the FDA under the European Medicines Agency the
under the European Medicines Agency the
under the European Medicines Agency the daily med there’s even an application
daily med there’s even an application
daily med there’s even an application released by the FDA called orange book
released by the FDA called orange book
released by the FDA called orange book that contains two eye defect information
that contains two eye defect information
that contains two eye defect information of almost all fda-approved drugs use
of almost all fda-approved drugs use
of almost all fda-approved drugs use your resources number three is this drug
your resources number three is this drug
your resources number three is this drug the best possible option for me what are
the best possible option for me what are
the best possible option for me what are my alternatives and with the help of a
my alternatives and with the help of a
my alternatives and with the help of a health care professional analyzed if the
health care professional analyzed if the
health care professional analyzed if the benefits outweigh the harms for you
benefits outweigh the harms for you
benefits outweigh the harms for you personally we don’t have to be reckless
personally we don’t have to be reckless
personally we don’t have to be reckless with our health now the United States of
with our health now the United States of
with our health now the United States of addiction is in their best interest I
addiction is in their best interest I
addiction is in their best interest I mean they’ll have customers
mean they’ll have customers
mean they’ll have customers life that way we shouldn’t make it that
life that way we shouldn’t make it that
life that way we shouldn’t make it that easy for them nothing there’s not a pill
easy for them nothing there’s not a pill
easy for them nothing there’s not a pill for every problem but for the pills that
for every problem but for the pills that
for every problem but for the pills that do need them we are entitled to safe
do need them we are entitled to safe
do need them we are entitled to safe medications we are entitled to drugs
medications we are entitled to drugs
medications we are entitled to drugs that will increase our risk for suicide
that will increase our risk for suicide
that will increase our risk for suicide 12 fold or leave us paralyzed we are
12 fold or leave us paralyzed we are
12 fold or leave us paralyzed we are also entitled to a drug industry that
also entitled to a drug industry that
also entitled to a drug industry that won’t look at our children as an
won’t look at our children as an
won’t look at our children as an untapped market of customers we are
untapped market of customers we are
untapped market of customers we are entitled to feel safe
entitled to feel safe
entitled to feel safe protected not falsely so even here in
protected not falsely so even here in
protected not falsely so even here in the united states of recovery we are
the united states of recovery we are
the united states of recovery we are still entitled to true safety not the
still entitled to true safety not the
still entitled to true safety not the illusion thank you
illusion thank you
illusion thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment