New Release
Bad Pharma
Exposing the Flaws in the System: ‘Bad Pharma’ Reveals the Unvarnished Truth About Drug Development and the Need for Change
Book Overview
When Siddhartha Kumar, a medical monitor for Onward Pharmaceutical Labs (OPL), discovers that the experimental vaccine being tested on infants and toddlers in a Phase 3 clinical trial is not working as well as the licensed vaccine to which it is being compared, he runs into a dilemma that is both unanticipated and disheartening. Sid quickly comes to realize that in order to advocate for the study patients his job description charges him to protect, he must convince the Big Pharma company for whom he works to offer those given the failed experimental vaccine an additional dose of the competitor’s licensed product. Sid follows his conscience, advocating for what he knows is the right thing to do, but soon finds himself on the outside looking in. Inspired by a true story, this book covers meaty issues involved in drug development that arise when science and business sometimes pull in opposite directions. Your journey through the book will touch on the business of drug and vaccine development, the politics that are part and parcel of large corporations, and several important issues related to mental health. Read Bad Pharma to see how Sid uses his experience in pharma to attempt to fulfill his duties as a medical monitor and protect the very patients his own company is choosing to endanger.
Testimonials
William T. Zempsky, MD, MPH
The Francine L. and Robert B. Goldfarb Endowed Chair for Pain and Palliative Medicine
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Captivating, and enlightening – what more could one ask for? Lazos and Johns have spun a tale that is as entertaining as it is compelling. Inspired by true events, this story touches on important issues seldom discussed in today’s world – ethical issues associated with Big Pharma’s development of new drugs for mankind, mental health issues, and issues with connection, perhaps the most important emotional need of man. All of this comes gift-wrapped in a well written and inspiring story that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect. Those interested in the ethical decisions facing drug developers as they bring blockbuster drugs to market, and the politics within these giant corporations will love this book. You will come away with new perspectives on how big decisions are made that affect your life and those around you.
Joel Burcat, Author of Award-winning novels Reap the Wind and Stange Fire
Readers of Karen Slaughter, Joseph Finder, and Michael Crichton will love Bad Pharma! It is full of complex characters with intricate personal lives, operating in a high-stakes, morally gray-black corporate environment. Part thriller, part morality tale, Bad Pharma is solidly written with an attention to detail that takes the reader inside the high stakes world of pharmaceutical drug trials and explores the ethical boundaries when everything that could go wrong does go wrong. This novel provides an important, yet entertaining, message about the profit-driven motive of drug trials and the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to look the other way to smooth the path to approval of questionable drugs.
Cathy Pew, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
University of Washington School of Medicine
I like stories that teach me things and make me think. But I want to be entertained too. This story was gripping and fun, plenty of romance and bad behavior. The characters had very real, very physical reactions, but there was also plenty to think about. I’m a pediatrician myself, and old emotions of rage and helplessness were stirred up in me as I watched the characters wrestle with competing priorities: profits, job security, one’s own mental health, the life of a child. Not to mention the ambiguities of scientific data! It’s so therapeutic to see all that given voice.
Thomas Anderson, Editor in Chief, Literary Titan
Bad Pharma is a medical thriller that dives into the murky waters of the pharmaceutical industry. It tells the story of Nora O’Connell, a savvy pharmaceutical professional, and Siddhartha Kumar, a meticulous medical monitor, as they navigate the ethical quagmire of Big Pharma’s relentless drive for profit. The story intertwines corporate ambition, personal stakes, and moral dilemmas, shedding light on the sometimes disastrous consequences of prioritizing business over patient safety.
One thing I loved about this book is its rich and complex characters. Nora’s razor-sharp wit and unrelenting ambition make her a captivating protagonist, but it’s her internal struggle with corporate ethics that truly resonates. Take her confrontation with Sid in Chapter 4—her fiery accusations and Sid’s calculated calmness highlight the human element in a soulless corporate environment. Sid, too, is a standout character. Haunted by the ghost of Bonifidia, a past pharmaceutical disaster, he’s the moral compass of the story. His dogged determination to analyze RSVIX data properly, despite mounting pressure, had me rooting for him even when his methods bordered on maddeningly slow.
The writing itself is vivid and engaging, but at times, it teeters on over-explaining. The passages detailing the clinical trial process, while necessary, occasionally bogged down the pace. That said, I appreciated the clarity in these sections, particularly when Sid outlines the risks associated with cutting corners in vaccine trials. The authors don’t just present the science—they make you feel the weight of the decisions being made. For instance, the description of Keturah’s hospitalization in Chapter 6 was gut-wrenching. It made the stakes of the BREATHE trial painfully real.
I also found the tension between Nora and Sid compelling. The workplace banter was a welcome reprieve from the darker themes, providing a balance that kept the narrative from feeling too heavy. The authors’ ability to blend sharp commentary on the pharmaceutical industry with human connection is a testament to their skill.
Bad Pharma is a moral inquiry wrapped in an engaging narrative. I would highly recommend it to anyone intrigued by the intersection of science, ethics, and corporate drama. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a corporate worker, or simply a fan of thought-provoking conspiracy thrillers, this book will make you question how much we’re willing to compromise in the name of progress.
Rating: 5/5!
Book Overview
When Siddhartha Kumar, a medical monitor for Onward Pharmaceutical Labs (OPL), discovers that the experimental vaccine being tested on infants and toddlers in a Phase 3 clinical trial is not working as well as the licensed vaccine to which it is being compared, he runs into a dilemma that is both unanticipated and disheartening. Sid quickly comes to realize that in order to advocate for the study patients his job description charges him to protect, he must convince the Big Pharma company for whom he works to offer those given the failed experimental vaccine an additional dose of the competitor’s licensed product. Sid follows his conscience, advocating for what he knows is the right thing to do, but soon finds himself on the outside looking in. Inspired by a true story, this book covers meaty issues involved in drug development that arise when science and business sometimes pull in opposite directions. Your journey through the book will touch on the business of drug and vaccine development, the politics that are part and parcel of large corporations, and several important issues related to mental health. Read Bad Pharma to see how Sid uses his experience in pharma to attempt to fulfill his duties as a medical monitor and protect the very patients his own company is choosing to endanger.