Zembla - The Pharma Method | Documentary (2014)

Broadcast from Zembla International in 2014 on Dutch Television and shared through their official online channels. This broadcast, however has been removed on behalf of the Dutch Government.Show more

In ZEMBLA International, an investigation into the marketing methods of the drug industry. How is it possible that medicines come onto the market that prove to be dangerous or have not been sufficiently tested?

The disaster that could have been prevented
One of the largest recent drug scandals occurred in the early 2000s involving the anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from manufacturer Merck, Sharpe and Dohme (MSD). Vioxx was sold in more than 80 countries, including the Netherlands.

Merck/MSD took Vioxx off the market in 2004 when more and more stories about fatal heart attacks after taking Vioxx came out.
According to FDA epidemiologist D. Graham, the American health care inspectorate, tens of thousands of Americans are dying from it: "This is one of the greatest medical disasters in American history. It could and should have been prevented, but it wasn't.”

According to C. Seeger, lawyer for the victims and relatives, internal documents showed that the manufacturer was aware of the risks taken: "The real guinea pigs are you and me, and our women and children."

Subtitling: Authentiek Media
Length: approx. 34 minutes
Language: Dutch, French, English
Subtitles: English, Dutch

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz1wuqxk0rg