Drug Companies Deceiving Consumers, Say Critics
02:23 - Monday 23 August 2010 - In Category Health
More than 80 per cent of new prescription drugs don’t work and few offer any real benefits, an industry expert has claimed.
Sociologist and professor of comparative health policy at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, Prof Donald Light believes more US deaths are caused by prescription drug abuse and side effects than car injuries and war.
He said: ‘Sometimes drug companies hide or downplay information about serious side-effects of new drugs and overstate the drugs’ benefits.’
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry refuted Light’s claims, which a spokesperson said were: ‘…long on accusation and woefully short on hard evidence.’
In related news, human rights groups in India claim drug companies are using 2 million locals as guinea pigs for new products, often without their consent.
