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It's not rocket science. The more money you can make from a business venture, the better. I've come to understand that in most businesses, when there is more money to be made, it's usually to the detriment of the customer. In this case, the customer is the patient. I lost my benefactor to cancer last year and I can say that this book is a confirmation of my observations during the course of his treatment.

I don't know if it is as much a conspiracy as it is a culture of greed. I am not suggesting that these companies work for free, but one company can't afford to drop prices (and, therefore, profits) because they will make themselves targets for takeover by the bigger fish. In the meantime, patients suffer the fallout, and the companies just keep going.

I definitely agree that the big pharma controls the money, and hence what the populace is able to get their hands on. I've seen it too many times that there will be a natural solution that runs under the radar and suddenly gets a spotlight. Once that spotlight hits, there is inevitably a crack down and the item becomes hard, if not impossible, to find on the market. I've also heard enough stories where scientists, doctors, and other influential types have been targeted when they go against the grain so to say. It's sad that, at least here in the states, you can easily get a prescription for something that is known to be addictive and has so many side effects that they have to give warnings, but you can't easily get natural substances that have very few side effects.

There have been so many amazing and insightful comments made here! Thank you everyone! I have appreciated reading about the experiences of others who are dealing with, or have dealt with, chronic illness in countries using mostly western medicine. These perspectives are so important, especially in regards to this book and how much it does or does not pertain to the reality of the US medical system. I also really appreciated the person who shared their experience while initially studying medicine. I have heard many similar stories from doctors, ARNP's, and RN's who have shared that they would have chosen a different path is they had been given more information on the actual medical system in the US.

a9436 wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 08:46 I definitely see big pharma as a greedy, unethical symbol of capitalism, and it is refreshing to see a critique being given such attention.

I agree. It is refreshing to see critiques that point this out.

It is sad and disgusting when someone's greed is so much that they are willing to let so many people die for the sake of money. That's what the big pharma are doing

For me,I second that Big Pharma, life insurance companies and legislature ought to work hand in hand to ensure that appropriate enough research is done with aim to obtain substancial medicine against cancer in conducive legal environment as supported by law while offering right insurance relief.

I don't think the story of the author's struggle was false. It had a high level of credibility and should be widely recommended.

There is too much proof from too many sources to call it a conspiracy any longer. I think that was a useful phrase to use back in the day before we had all of our social media and ways to find out information at the click of a button. I know that many are skeptical of Big Pharma trying to hurt people, but my question is then..why are alternative medicines so strongly fought against? Why not let people decide how they want to proceed? Why all the hiding of information about what can help alleviate symptoms? I found the part of the book fascinating where the author's father's work was pushed down and away from the public so that others could be given awards for their work when in reality, he had discovered a great truth that could help many people. That is what happens in America as well. It isn't fair that someone is lining his or her pockets with money at the expense of those who are suffering.

I haven't read the book yet, but I don't think big pharma is a thing the way people think about it. Doctors join the profession to help people. Researchers do the same. I'm more concerned about the limitations people are facing because of insurance.

I agree that there does seem to be a conflict of interest when big pharmaceutical companies are kept in business by the very same people they are supposed to be "curing". I'm not saying that it is a deliberate plan in every case, but it does seem very plausible that there wouldn't be much motivation to find complete cures that are more cost affordable.

I think Sylvie did an excellent job of exposing Big Pharma for their corrupt practices because they have been politically tied to major governments for years. The arrest of Mr. Beljanski was just one of the many examples of Big Pharma's efforts towards silencing their competition. So I would say that Big Pharma is definitely a conspiracy, and they are threatened by anything natural like Pao Pereira extracts.

"I certainly think there is some truth to collusion between Big Pharma, health insurance companies, and legislature, especially in the United States. What do you think?"

Ditto that, of course. But I also think we need to be careful not to dismiss the great strides of Westernized medicine. There seems to be a trend these days of landing firmly on one side of this debate or the other, without either side willing to admit concessions regarding the other. As someone who has a chronic illness and have tried all sorts of dietary and holistic methods to cure myself, mostly to no avail, I'm grateful for the drugs from big pharmaceutical companies that are keeping me alive. Would I rather not need to take anything, and feel whole by eating all natural foods and walking barefoot on the grass? You bet! But that's not a reality for me. All that being said, I do believe that there's collusion between pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, the government and the money to be made by keeping patients sick and addicted. That much is obvious. Yet, the fact remains that life expectancy has increased significantly along with the rise in pharmaceuticals. That's progress. Now, quality of life is a different story. Our ancestors could most like walk circles around us, simply because of the way they lived. So basically, there's gotta be a way for us to meet in the middle between the past and present.

So many medical breakthroughs are hidden or snuffed out because they threaten the pocket of the people who stand to benefit the most. Many researchers and scientists end up missing or dead. Can't be a coincidence.

melissah30 wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 06:15 I definitely don't trust "Big Pharma", but at the same time, I do think modern medicine is very helpful. The problem is corporate greed. I can definitely believe some of the more conspiracy theory sides to this book. I personally believe the whole US government is a scam. If they can keep us sick, poor, and stupid, they can keep people from uprising or whatever it is they're afraid we'll do.

Exactly how I feel! The government has privatized many of the industries that make money, chronic money, off of us. It's not just pharma, but mental care facilities and prisons as well. Take the sudden hike in epi pens that the government finally had to step in to help subsidize. It's the best hostage game in the business.