Devalued and Distrusted (eBook)

JOHN L. LaMATTINA, PHD, retired as president of Pfizer's Global Research and Development in 2007, where he managed more than 13,000 scientists and support professionals in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Dr. LaMattina has received numerous honors and awards, including an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of New Hampshire. Currently a Senior Partner with PureTech Ventures, he is the author of Drug Truths: Dispelling the Myths About Pharma R&D (Wiley).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER 1 THE FOUR SECRETS THE DRUG COMPANIES DON'T WANT
YOU TO KNOW 4

Drug Companies Underestimate Dangerous Side Effects 5

Drug Companies Control Much of the Information Your Doctor Gets
10

You're Often Prescribed Drugs That You Don't Need
14

Drugs Target the Symptoms, Not the Cause 19

Conclusion 22

References 23

CHAPTER 2 WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO R&D PRODUCTIVITY? 25

Impact of Mergers on R&D Productivity 26

Heightened FDA Requirements for NDAs 34

Higher Hurdles Set by Payers 41

Conclusion 46

References 48

CHAPTER 3 KEY THERAPEUTIC AREAS FOR IMPROVING HEALTH 49

Cancer 51

Diseases of the Brain 54

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) 60

Diabetes 63

Bacterial Infections 65

Conclusion 68

References 69

CHAPTER 4 IMPROVING R&D OUTPUT 71

The Views of Others 72

Pharma's Blockbuster Mentality Needs to Change 72

Can "Predictive Innovation" Lead to Greater Success
Rates? 76

Would Royalties Make Scientists More Productive? 78

Will Drug Repositioning Help Fill the R&D Pipeline? 80

Consultants Don't Always Have the Facts 82

Personal Views 84

Discovery Must Focus on Productivity 85

Does Size Help or Hinder R&D Productivity? 87

To Outsource or Not to Outsource? That's the Pharma
R&D Question 89

Big Pharma Early Research Collaborations 92

Conclusion 93

References 95

CHAPTER 5 RESTORING PHARMA'S IMAGE 96

Illegal Detailing of Drugs 97

Pharmaceutical Companies Should Drop TV Ads 98

The Need for Greater Transparency 100

How Committed Is Big Pharma to Rare Diseases? 102

Pharmaceutical Companies and Philanthropy 104

Pharma Needs to Have Its Scientists Tell Their Stories 105

Conclusion 106

References 107

CHAPTER 6 FINAL THOUGHTS 109

References 114

INDEX 115

"Oz should invite LaMattina back on his show. Since
LaMattina treats all concerns respectfully, Oz needn't worry
about feeling devalued or distrusted." (Barron's, 5
May 2014)

"This is an honest book by an insider who believes in the
basic good that the industry does." (The Quarterly
Review of Biology, 1 September 2013)

"Summing Up: Recommended. General
audiences." (Choice, 1 September 2013)

"For those more loosely associated or aspiring to work
with in it, I particularly recommend this book as a balanced and
informative read on the pressures the industry faces. It should
also provide the basis for more reasoned argument and forewarn
anyone else potentially ambushed by a TV show."
(ChemMedChem, 19 July 2013)

"That said, the suggestions made by LaMattina for
improvements in productivity and transparency are timely, and the
book makes interesting if unexciting reading."
(Chemistry & Industry, 1 June 2013)

"John LaMattina (ex-head of Pfizer's global R&D) has a
new book out about the industry, called href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANR91W8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lagniappe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ANR91W8">Devalued
and Distrusted. He href="http://www.pharmalot.com/2012/12/repairing-a-broken-pharma-image-lamattina-explains/">tells
Pharmalot that he got the idea to write a sequel to his
earlier book, href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470393181/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lagniappe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0470393181">Drug
Truths, when he appeared on the "Dr. Oz" show."
(In The Pipeline, 1 December 2012)



" ... the book is laden with so many facts, critical
insights and pearls of wisdom that it deserves the attention of a
wide audience, from lay people to professionals in R&D,
medicine, government, business and mass media. Dr. LaMatina has
performed a public service by drawing on his broad experience to
clarify the issues and the many challenges that have to be faced if
progress in therapeutic molecular medicine is to continue, and to
illuminate the ongoing tensions that are bound to arise with ever
increasing risks and costs in pharma and biotech R&D,
never-perfect new medicines and constantly rising consumer
expectations and government involvement."--E J
Corey, Harvard University