Big Pharma brings in billions of dollars every year.
Pharmaceutical companies are some of the biggest powerhouses in today’s economy. Imagine all of the doctor visits and written prescriptions.
Between treating a bacterial infection to helping lessen the effects of depression, there seems to be a medicine for just about anything. While pharmaceutical companies have provided relief to many, they can easily cause just as much harm.
Pharmaceutical fraud is an unfortunate part of reality we should all be aware of. Below are 5 facts you need to know about this kind of fraud. Keep reading below to better protect yourself.
- Not All Companies Match FDA Standards
As much as we want to, you can’t trust all pharmaceutical manufacturing sights. Not all of them are maintaining conditions that are in line with FDA standards.
There are certain regulations called Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. These regulations help assure your medications are made in clean environments and tested in reliable labs.
Drugs not made within environments that meet these standards aren’t allowed to be sold. Yet, some companies ignore this and continue to sell their drugs.
- There are Unapproved Drugs in Use
In some cases, pharmaceutical companies may incorrectly advertise drugs for profit. They may advertise drugs that haven’t been formally approved, or the companies may advertise drugs for unapproved uses.
This can raise many safety concerns for users.
- Some Physicians Receive Incentives for Prescribing Certain Drugs
According to the Anti-Kickback Statute, it’s prohibited for pharmaceutical companies to offer incentives for physicians prescribing the drug they sell. Companies offering these incentives have found themselves involved in pharmaceutical lawsuit cases.
Incentives can include major bonuses, tickets to sports games, and fancy hotel rooms. No physician should be prescribing medicine solely for personal gain.
- There Are Cases of False Clinical Data
In the past, some pharmaceutical companies have falsified information in order to obtain funding and grants. They may have also hidden important data and purposefully skimmed over flawed data.
Fraud can also occur in the design of experiments. Labs have set up experiments to only show the results the researchers expect.
- Reports of Adverse Effects Have Been Concealed
Pharmaceutical companies must submit reports of adverse effects to the FDA. There have been some pharmaceutical law cases due to companies not reported these effects.
This can cause liability issues for doctors prescribing these medications, and it puts the user’s health in danger.
How Do You Protect Yourself?
Always do your research. Research any and all medications you’re prescribed. Read user reports, and highlight anything that may seem like false information.
Make sure to research your doctor’s office. Read reviews from past clients, and see if any past clients have experienced issues with the medicine they’ve used.
If you think you’re the victim of pharmaceutical fraud, immediately contact a lawyer specializing in pharmaceutical law. You can find contacts quickly online, such as contacts at this site.
Be In the Know: Pharmaceutical Fraud
It can be scary to know that pharmaceutical fraud is a real thing, especially if you’re a medication user. Read the facts above, and know how to protect yourself.
Pharmaceutical companies in the past have concealed important information and have sold drugs for unintended uses. Some physicians have even received illegal incentives for prescribing certain drugs. Make sure to always do your research.
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