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The Therapeutic Nightmare: The Battle Over The World's Most Controversial Tranquilizer
"The Therapeutic Nightmare" tells the story of the sleeping pill, Halcion, a story which is far from over. First marketed in the 1970s, Halcion was taken by millions of patients around the world as a tranquilizer. Soon, however, it began to be associated with serious psychotropic patients experienced amnesia, hallucinations, aggression and, in extreme cases, homicide. Thirteen years after its first release it was banned by the British government. It remains on sale in the United States.
This book examines the interests involved - the corporate interests of the manufacturers and distributors, the professional interests of the scientists and researchers, and the medical interests of the doctors prescribing it. Above all, it explains how these contending forces are regulated - the clinical tests and how they are validated. It looks at the ways the results are disseminated, within and among countries, and analyses whether consumer groups and public health advocates are able to balance the views of those with a professional stake in the success of new drugs.
This book examines the interests involved - the corporate interests of the manufacturers and distributors, the professional interests of the scientists and researchers, and the medical interests of the doctors prescribing it. Above all, it explains how these contending forces are regulated - the clinical tests and how they are validated. It looks at the ways the results are disseminated, within and among countries, and analyses whether consumer groups and public health advocates are able to balance the views of those with a professional stake in the success of new drugs.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
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August 5, 2023
3 stars (but 4 stars) because it wasn't that interesting. I was Iooking for a story behind the legal battles, especially with this title. But instead, it was a medical story told via the clinical and FDA, etc research.
I ended up skimming it. 5 stars for all the data they put together from the mtgs, the fda, clinical trials, UK and other international regulatory groups. Fascinating. What's frustrating with drug companies is their blatant denial or twisting reality about a bad drug. This has been going on forever. They had warning signs from the start, but chose to fight it all the way because the US public was giving Upjohn profits for their bank account.
The FDA is disappointing, too, buckling under political pressure. I continue to think I need to see what England does with drugs since they use more common sense along with their NHS. It's a different system.
It was an excellent book for data about halcion. Just no storyline, drug, boring.
I ended up skimming it. 5 stars for all the data they put together from the mtgs, the fda, clinical trials, UK and other international regulatory groups. Fascinating. What's frustrating with drug companies is their blatant denial or twisting reality about a bad drug. This has been going on forever. They had warning signs from the start, but chose to fight it all the way because the US public was giving Upjohn profits for their bank account.
The FDA is disappointing, too, buckling under political pressure. I continue to think I need to see what England does with drugs since they use more common sense along with their NHS. It's a different system.
It was an excellent book for data about halcion. Just no storyline, drug, boring.
Displaying 1 of 1 review