Death by Prescription: A Father Takes on His Daughter's Killer-- the Multi-billion-dollar Pharmaceutical IndustryFifteen-year-old Vanessa Young began taking Prepulsid after her doctor prescribed the billion-dollar selling drug to alleviate a stomach disorder. Neither she--nor her parents--had any reason to suspect the drug might pose a risk. The doctor had prescribed the drug without concern. Nothing in the literature from the manufacturer warned of complications. On March 19, 2000, Vanessa died. Shattered by grief and angry beyond belief, Terence Young began a long fight to find out why. The answer: Prepulsid. The prescription drug the teenager had been assured would relieve her symptoms had, in fact, killed her. Not content to know why, Young determined to battle the industry to make sure this kind of tragedy never happened again. Then a successful businessman and former member of Parliament, Young pursued answers with a kind of Quixote-like obsession. The truth is, as he would find out, that every year hundreds and hundreds of people die as a result of complications from prescription drugs. And most of these companies attentive only to their own bottom line simply don't care. Death by Prescription is the unforgettable story of his fight to find justice for his daughter and a shocking wake-up call to the millions of patients out there who are potential victims of the greedy pharmaceutical companies that put profits ahead of patients. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ADRs adverse drug reactions adverse reactions Alan Cassels Alex approved Arnott asked Big Pharma Big Pharma companies black box warning blockbuster brand names called Canadian cardiac cardiac arrhythmias cent cisapride class action contraindicated coroner Dear Doctor detail reps dollars drug companies drug industry drug labels drug reps drug safety electrolyte Erna felt Gary Gloria going Hart Health Canada Health Canada officials heard heart arrhythmia hospital hundred inquest Internet issue Janssen Janssen-Ortho Jeremy Johnson & Johnson jury Kayner knew lawsuit lawyers Madeline medical-speak Michele million never Oakville off-label Ontario patients Paxil Pfizer pharmacist pills prescribing prescription drugs problem Prozac risk risky drugs safe selling side effects someone stop story taking Prepulsid tell thalidomide thing told Toronto torsades de pointes trial Vanessa died Vanessa's death Vioxx