Episode Information

As an out-of-town web site listener, I am late to post this. However, I need to respond to this broadcast. I am a former employee of Pfizer - one who was laid off in the Michigan close-down, so there's no love lost there. In the interest of disclosure, I am involved in the biotechnology industry.
This hour was a balanced perspective with excellent debate of pertinent issues. As with many NPR broadcasts, I found several occasions in which I talked back to the speaker, but in each case, one of the participants brought up my point. I find the opinions posted in the online responses (Michael and ctalarski) very informative. It is clear to me that each was tuned in but did not listen.
Whether these respondents like it or not, Pfizer and other companies are for-profit organizations. (The show's discussion of marketing practices addressed key points on both sides of this issue.) This industry, however, is exceptionally highly regulated, and the requirements for clinical trials are very complex. This makes the process of getting a drug approved - proving that the drug is safe and effective - very expensive. If the pharmaceutical industry is to continue to function, to provide new drugs and improved drugs, they need to be able to recover these costs. How these costs are met by consumers is another issue for another show, but health policy and health care reimbursement was not the focus of this show. Still, it is worth pointing out that most pharmaceutical companies have programs in place to donate some of their most costly drugs in cases of need.
Drug safety is a central concern for any pharmaceutical company. This does not mean that bad decisions are never made by individuals in this industry or any other. It should be pointed out that the vast majority of the people working in this industry - those with whom I have had the pleasure of working for many years - are passionate and compassionate scientists who care deeply about the patients who will eventually benefit from their work. Knowing that the work you do could eventually improve someone's quality of life or save lives is a strong motivator. If Michael and ctalarski choose not to use particular medicines or to use alternative treatments (not tested by the FDA), they are free to do so. However, I would encourage them not to interfere with efforts to develop medications that others may want or need. The same freedom of choice that they enjoy should remain available to those who wish to benefit from the hard-won advances in medicine.
I, for one, will be renewing my support of Connecticut Public Radio. Thank you for providing an informed platform for discussion.

Dear Mr. Dankowsky;

I can often find your show informative in the issues that are covered. Today was not one of those days. I am appalled that you take an important issue such as health care and the pharmaceutical industry and give your show a platform for Pfizer propaganda. If we want to know what Pfizer thinks, all we have to do is pick up a magazine or watch tv and view one of the many episodes of their advertising campaign. Where were the real experts today? The scientists and policy makers who are focused on the condition of healthcare in our country and the world. I think of the independently funded organization Public Citizen that can be accessed through their website WORSTPILLS.ORG. A fabulous resource on the health care industry and consumer friendly information on medications and related topics. They are often the original source for revealing the dangerous drugs that get pulled from the market. I can only say that working in New London County and Pfizer Country, the Pfizer employees are either leaving in disgust from the unethical and corrupting policies or all too often from the "downsizing" to squeeze more profit per pill. Manufacturing is going overseas just like most corporate industry and it is all to skirt regulations and work place safety. The number one health issue Pfizer and Big Pharma has in their sights is money. Shame on you for giving them a bully pulpit. I will now be more likely to tune you out before I turn you up.

Dear Where we Live,

your program this morning convinced me NOT to give my annual membership donation. This lady is a schill for the medical industrial complex.

please consider:

people are being cured of aids, high blood pressure and Yes, diabetes

without drugs.

Wouldnt that make Phizer happy, if we actually cured disease and people no longer needed to buy their drugs?

My sister makes lots of money lobbying doctors with free dinners, samples etc to prescribe her company's drugs.
A close friend of mine in the mind-body medicine community did a carefully peer researched study on transcendental meditation and high blood pressure in african americans in Oakland CA. After the study was finished it was mentioned in a poster in my physician's exam room. The fact that the need for medication was eliminated in these patients thru this specific well researched process wasnt mentioned. A picture of a man in a bubble bath was pictured with the caption "Relax!"

Thank you for reminding me that you are National Corporate Radio more than National Public Radio. We should keep corporate money out of our public radio as well as medical research.

dori
new haven