Money Talks - Profits Before Patient Safety

The controversial independent film Side Effects raised so many questions about the ethical and societal implications of the marketing practices the pharmaceutical industry, that writer/director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau felt compelled to turn to the experts. The result is a gripping documentary that features interviews with key opinion leaders from Harvard, Columbia, UCLA and more. These thought leaders frankly discuss pharmaceutical influence as it relates to consumers, physicians, research, the FDA and Capitol Hill. Amazon.com

Tells it like it is about Big Pharma

You cannot imagine what bravery it took for this DVD to be made. One guest is a former detail man and the producer is former detail woman, now called drug reps. In a PBS documentary style, but with rapid movement between 6 guests, this is the story of overselling drugs, mis-educating physicians, and control of even academic medical research. Even if you are a jaded cynic like me, you will find out some new disgusting angle to the prescription drug business.
Here is the place for me to recommend Deadly Medicine by Thomas J. Moore (1995) and any of his other books. And Let Them Eat Prozac by David Healy (2004). And The Trouble with Medical Journals by Richard Smith. And Calculated Risks by Gerd Gigerenzer (2002).
October 6, 2007

Excellent expose

This is an excellent overview of how drug companies will stoop at nothing to show their products in a good light, even if their "cures" are worse than useless and exorbitantly expensive.
Two former sales reps explain how the drug companies seduce doctors from the time they're in med school with gifts, trips, etc. Yes, we all know this, but hearing it from people who engaged in these practices makes their methods seem even more odious and manipulative.
I especially liked Dr. Hoffman from UCLA whose calm explanations of the business of medicine and modern drug company tactics were excellent and scathing.
I wish this DVD was required by all medical schools. October 24, 2006

much needed.

This documentary is very concise, and very straight forward. It does not beat around the bush or preach to the choir. It features interviews with some very credible sources, all of whom have their unique take on such a timely discussion topic. I really enjoyed the way the interviews were woven together. This documentary makes a great point and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning the hard facts about the drug industry and its ethics. May 17, 2006

No fluff

I really enjoyed this documentary and it's lack of fluff. I am warn down by my generation's new over-the-top approach to documentary filmmaking. It is one thing to incorporate a barrage of pop music and rapid editing into a feature, or even a documentary about a band or a spelling bee, but what I really appreciated about this documentary was its refusal to mask the facts with entertaining rhetoric. The film is very blunt and gets to the point. It has something to say, and it says it - clearly. If you are looking for 50 minutes of relevant information that will leave you feeling nothing short of enlightened, this is the documentary for you. May 4, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...