John Abramson: Big Pharma | Lex Fridman Podcast #263

John Abramson is faculty at Harvard Medical School and a family physician for over two decades. He's the author of the new book Sickening about how big pharma broke American healthcare and how we can fix it. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:

EPISODE LINKS:

PODCAST INFO:

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
7:52 - Biggest problem with big pharma
16:54 - Advertising
36:45 - Corruption
53:01 - Pfizer vaccine data
1:01:53 - Vaccine profits
1:12:48 - Censorship
1:33:34 - FDA
1:42:09 - NIH
1:51:06 - Live longer
1:54:36 - Medications
2:03:00 - Doctors
2:07:07 - Advice for young people
2:08:03 - Big pharma's influence
2:12:47 - Mortality
2:14:38 - Meaning of life

SOCIAL:

[lexfridman]

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast.
0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions:
7:52 - Biggest problem with big pharma
16:54 - Advertising
36:45 - Corruption
53:01 - Pfizer vaccine data
1:01:53 - Vaccine profits
1:12:48 - Censorship
1:33:34 - FDA
1:42:09 - NIH
1:51:06 - Live longer
1:54:36 - Medications
2:03:00 - Doctors
2:07:07 - Advice for young people
2:08:03 - Big pharma's influence
2:12:47 - Mortality
2:14:38 - Meaning of life

[Noticer-in-chief]

There's an issue with concluding the vaccines are safe and basing it on the fact that millions or billions of doses have been administered. The issue is that adverse reactions ARE being dismissed because the partial clinical trial data available doesn't indicate that such adverse events are even possible. So we now have medical professionals dismissing patient claims of an adverse reaction because "there's no evidence for it". This is two problems in one. The lack of transparency from industry and industry regulators and a general lack of curiosity in the field of medicine and an attitude toward patients that makes the patient out to be stupid or a nuisance.

[aryagoes]

I’m a med student. Three years in I realised the demon side of pharmaceuticals and how they dictate written knowledge that we study. Legit cried that day, lost everything I think i wanted from this profession. Take control peeps. I know i will

[richtygart]

I remember taking my elderly father to a doctor's appointment in 2004 or 3 and the doctor's office was completely covered in Vioxx banners and pamphlets. I had already read a study about about its safety so I told my dad not to take it but that doctor was trying to push it on him like a drug dealer with crack cocaine on a school kid.

[jeffjberry]

When I was a kid, I was randomly referred to a psychiatrist for a free consultation and was immediately prescribed an SSRI Paxil to my and my parents confusion, but we didn't think much of it and I took it, felt bad for some weeks and immediately stopped it and felt so sick I stopped going to school and ultimately tried to end my life. Future psychiatrists would assure me these pills were not addicting and that the withdrawal was in my head. "old symptoms coming back". I was having convulsions and vomiting! Only recently have doctors began warning of the withdrawal symptoms. How many kids have died because of this?!

[davidkiernan]

I would like to hear John Abramsons take on the vaccine efficacy now that the data releases have been analysed.

[freespeechall]

When it comes to the publics safety and well-being...there should be zero tolerance for a company that brakes the public trust for profits.
The company should be dismantled and every dollar made should be forfeited!

[techdesigner]

38:05 100% I remember my jaw dropping when I realized what "peer reviewed" actually meant, i.e. no one actually vets the data!! In an ideal world, every new drug should have an independent study before it is released instead of relying solely on the evidence the manufacturer (i.e. seller) provides.

[ellejrrn]

1:17:25 The reason Malone “has a following” is because he has information, analysis of data, and observations and perspectives well informed by years of experience that absolutely must be heard!

[kenyadigittt]

'I think you're an optimist, I want to work with you on this a little bit.'
Made me smile. This is the kind of back and forth we need more of in our society.
Love you Lex.

[thorrin]

You have quickly become one of my favourite human beings and your words are helping me to become less of a cynical bastard. Thanks for being awesome Lex and keep at it!

[lizmcnay]

I don't think there are "antivaxx" people. There definitely are people opposed to mRNA gene therapy treatments, forced medical treatment, products that are not proven necessary, efficacious, safe, poorly tested, and products riddled with side effects.
A safe, effective, necessary product would be openly embraced.

[sidney]

When I suffered from acid reflux, my doctor's first and only recommendation was for a drug. I had to do my own research to find that it could be controlled by a change of diet. The same ting happened recently when my cholesterol was a little high. I had fallen into bad habits, that I knew affected my cholesterol. I had to tell the doctor that I didn't want the medication he wanted to prescribe, because I knew I could lower my cholesterol through lifestyle changes.

[RichardCranium]

that opening statement was incredibly moving.... keep doing your thing Lex, youre changing lives. thank you for trusting us, the listeners...

[robinzaczek]

"There's a guy named Robert Malone, Peter McCullough"? "A guy"? These are very credible doctors which deserve a little more respect than a cursory mention

[danlowe]

Another wonderful interview, Lex!!! Thank you. One point that he made which is simply not credible, however, is comparing this epidemic to 1918's Flu. The 1968 or 1957 Flus were more comparable. Remember, there are 4.5 times as many people than in 1918 so 50 million deaths = roughly 220 million deaths in today's world. Entire villages would be wiped out, people would die within hours of the first symptoms, infant children would be orphaned by the thousands from losing both parents within hours of each other. Offices and work crews lost large percentages of staff.
Then, you have WW1 where ambulances would be lined up for miles to take newly arrived troops to hospital or cemetery (both in Europe and returning here). Well over half of war deaths were from this and other diseases. The German general in charge even stated that the Allies didn't beat him, our Flu did.
Today, most deaths are in nursing homes (60%) and elderly sick people (avg. age 83). In 1918, they knew not what a virus was. They had no steroids or antiviral meds. It cut through a much younger group of people in the prime of their lives.
Today, we do a post-mortem PCR test on a 103 year old with stage 4 lung cancer, get a positive, and notch that pay column. Santa Clara County studied death certs from c-19 deaths and found around 25% were with c-19, not from c-19. Sorry I ran long and I'm not playing down the epidemic of today but simply trying to put it into perspective.

[TheAlsavov]

That monologue in the beginning was great! Congrats, you are doing the right things. You are the glimmer of hope for me!

[johnhanna]

My doctor told me that once you have Covid your natural “unvaxxed”immunity will last 6 months to 1 year. He also stated that the previous flew vaccine had a 17% efficacy. It ultimately does come down to the individual, their choice and rights.

[crangonvulgaris]

In my humble experience many who are labelled anti-vax are in fact anti-mRNA 'vaccination', they generally recognise efficacy whilst remaining deeply dubious of both the observed short term adverse reactions and long term currently unknowable yet plausible adverse effects, due primarily to the obvious impossibility of longitudinal studies to support assurances given.

[soulsaken]

I was watching something else on YouTube while cooking, when this came on by accident afterwards. I left it on as I cooked and I'm glad I did. What a great conversation. Lex is thoughtful, intelligent, well considered and good hearted in his interview style. Keep up the great work Lex.