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Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs Paperback – March 3, 2009

by Melody Petersen (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 106 ratings
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An "angrily illuminating" (The New York Times) exposé of Big Pharma's corrupting influence in America today

In the last thirty years, pharmaceutical companies have seized control of American medicine by putting their marketers in charge. They invent diseases in order to sell the pills that "cure" them. They sway doctors by giving them resort vacatopms, gourmet meals, and fistfuls of cash. They advertise prescription drugs at NASCAR races, on subways, and even in churches. Medicines can save lives, but the relentless promotion of these products has come at tremendous cost. Prescription pills taken as directed are estimated to kill one American every five minutes. More Americans are addicted to medications than cocaine. And roads have become less safe as the over-medicated take to the wheel. In Our Daily Meds, journalist Melody Petersen connects the dots to show how subtle, far-reaching, and dangerous Big Pharma's powers have become.

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  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 3, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.98 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    9780312428259
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0312428259
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tough, cogent, and disturbing enough to have a serious impact . . . [A] chilling investigation.” ―The New York Times

“Petersen draws on her years as a crackerjack business reporter at The New York Times, where her enterprising stories were eagerly awaited by those who follow the drug makers. . . . A fascinating introduction to one of the most powerful industries of our time.” ―The Washington Post

“Compelling . . . full of . . . eye-opening stories.” ―BusinessWeek

“Sobering, scrupulously researched . . . We have no choice but to take careful heed.” ―The Boston Globe

About the Author

Melody Petersen wrote about the pharmaceutical industry for four years as a reporter for The New York Times. She is the author of Our Daily Meds and lives with her husband in Los Angeles.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0312428251
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador; First Edition (March 3, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780312428259
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312428259
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.98 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

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Melody Petersen

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
106 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched and informative, with one noting it provides a thorough account of the pharmaceutical industry's marketing practices. They consider it a must-read and praise its readability, with one customer mentioning it's easy to understand for nonprofessionals. Customers also appreciate the book's value for money.

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14 customers mention "Information quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, with one customer noting it provides a thorough account of the pharmaceutical industry's business practices.

"This is a must read for anyone taking prescriptions, for those considering taking them, and for the rest of us...." Read more

"As a pharmacist of over 50 years in practice, I found this book most revealing. Early on I was exposed to "detail men" from pharmaceutical firms...." Read more

"This book should be required reading for healthcare professionals. Ms. Petersen details what Big Pharma is doing to people for the sake of profits...." Read more

"This is a very well researched investigation into the scamming pharmaceutical world and how shamefully (and with the collusion of the FDA) they..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as wonderful and a must-read for everyone.

"...After reading this wonderful book, I see that the adds do indeed sell the disease, *not* the remedy...." Read more

"I like the book, wish it could have been clearer in the instructions that it was a library book removed from circulation. Overall though good quality." Read more

"I needed this for my school’s summer reading, but it was a pretty interesting book. I really liked it." Read more

"...Thank you so much for providing these excellent books at such a great savings and with speedy delivery. Dr. Jerry Zelm" Read more

3 customers mention "Ease of reading"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning it is written in a way that is understandable for nonprofessionals.

"...She presents it in a style that is easy to understand for nonprofessionals...." Read more

"...The book is easy reading and fascinating, and it is well researched." Read more

"...Also, an easy read." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money.

"...us from a sick care system to a health care system is worth the price of the book...." Read more

"...The price was fantastic, also. Thank you so much for providing these excellent books at such a great savings and with speedy delivery...." Read more

"Good price, came on time." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • AMM
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must -- even if your MD does not prescribe it
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This is a must read for anyone taking prescriptions, for those considering taking them, and for the rest of us. Also a must read for anyone who has thought s/he may have that "new" disease advertised in one of those colorful TV adds. After reading this wonderful book, I see that the adds do indeed sell the disease, *not* the remedy. Pharma are interested in selling drugs that you'll need for live, rather than solutions.

    To learn more about these and many other fascinating facts, you'll have to buy the book... Side effects include amazement, angriness toward corporations, being able to connect the dots and sleeplessness (just wanting to keep reading).
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Kenneth E. Sain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Our Daily Meds
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    As a pharmacist of over 50 years in practice, I found this book most revealing. Early on I was exposed to "detail men" from pharmaceutical firms. Their purpose was to contact physicians and furnish information about new products. Today, "detail men" are nearly all attractive women, fetching lunch, flowers and overwhelming quantities of drug samples and other inducements. The author of this book has researched her subject throughly and presents the industry in a true light. I would hope that the FDA and members of Congress would all read it and take it seriously.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Dawn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I like the book, wish it could have been clearer in the instructions that it was a library book removed from circulation. Overall though good quality.
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  • Richard B. Barnaby
    3.0 out of 5 stars INFORMATIVE
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I THINK MOST OF US CRINGE EVERYTIME WE SEE A COMMERCIAL ON TV ABOUT HOW DRUGS CAN HAVE SO MANY SIDE EFFECTS. THIS BOOK REALLY OPENED MY EYES AS TO HOW MANY DRUGS HAVE BEEN REASSIGNED NEW NAMES AND PERSRIBED FOR NEW TREATMENTS. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT DRUG COMPANIES HAVE PROFITS AS THEIR FIRST PRIORITY
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Harold Sieglaff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Our Daily Meds from Sick to Health
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    Ms Petersen's treatment of overprescribed drugs, off label drug use, and
    public water systems contaminated with pharamaceuticals is a worthy companion
    to "Critical Condition" by Pulitzer Prize winners Donald L Barlett &
    James B Steele.

    In her Epilogue her 11 step plan for moving us from a sick care system to a health care system is worth the price of the book. The plan well complements Dr Jerome Groopman MD's Epilogue in his book "How Doctors Think" where he lists questions patients should ask their doctors.

    As a senior citizen center member I see the surfeit of drugs daily.
    Pills upon pills for medical conditions & pills to counter side effects
    of other pills.

    I myself am on coumadin with a healthy daily dose of broccoli to thicken
    what would otherwise be too thin blood.

    Were I president Ms Petersen would be Secretary of Health & Human Services
    and a young David A Kessler her assistant.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better living through chemistry?
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This book should be required reading for healthcare professionals. Ms. Petersen details what Big Pharma is doing to people for the sake of profits. She presents it in a style that is easy to understand for nonprofessionals. As a geriatric nurse I have become increasingly alarmed at the number of drugs that are prescribed for our elderly population with little or no regard for the side effects they cause. I would higly recommend this book to anyone who takes prescription medicines or has a loved one who does.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Barbara Cinquegrana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful!!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book validated what many of us already suspected! All you have to do is listen to the multitude of side effects listed at the end of every drug commercial and you know something is not right with these meds. I love this book. In addition, I now know what meds have been "refurbished" after their patents run out. Powerful meds that were created for horrendous medical conditions being resold for more common uses. I highly recommend this book!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mackenzie Shelton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I needed this for my school’s summer reading, but it was a pretty interesting book. I really liked it.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • P. Baziotopoulos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative for the role of many pharmaceutical companies. ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very informative for the role of many pharmaceutical companies...
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2018
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