MedPage Today Editor in Chief, Dr. Marty Makary, interviewed investigative journalist, Katherine Eban, about her recently published book, Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom. For those of you who listen to our weekly videoconferences for Advanced Prostate Cancer, you will probably recall that I have expressed faith that generic drugs that have been FDA-approved as “safe and effective” are just that – safe and effective. But after having listened to this interview (Is that a Centipede I See in My Capsule??), my faith has been shaken to its foundation.
In the years since I retired from the pharma industry as a research pharmacologist, many things have changed. Like many other manufacturing operations, the generic drug industry has mostly moved offshore, mainly to India and China, and the FDA’s oversight capabilities have been seriously diminished, according to author, Katherine Eban. I have not yet read the book, but the 32 minute podcast referenced above is something you need to hear. But be forewarned, this is shocking and deeply disturbing. But there are steps you can take to ensure your generic drugs are truly safe and effective. Whenever possible, insist that your pharmacist uses generic drugs manufactured in the U.S., Canada or Europe.
Great follow up article from Marty Makary MD on Valisure, a pharmacy that tests ingedients before it uses them. (rd 3/11/20)