Of course, the official answer from the FDA and Big Pharma is that problems with a drug are only seen when millions begin using it, which is why post-marketing surveillance is conducted. In other words: Who knew? But in a startling number of cases revealed in court documents, Pharma did “know” and clearly misled medical journals, the FDA, doctors and patients, hoping to get its “patent’s worth” before the true risks of a drug surfaced. In other cases, Pharma and the FDA should have known before rushing a dangerous drug to market and making money at the expense of patients.
It is the business model for new drugs that provokes Big Pharma to bury risks and exaggerate benefits. A new drug under patent has a high price and no competition and will make millions or even billions every year it is under patent. A settlement for death or injuries down the road is a nuisance and just the cost of doing business. Needless to say, the “forgiveness is cheaper than permission” business plan breeds shameless repeat offenders since the company makes money and no officers go to jail.