Poison Pills: The Untold Story of the Vioxx Drug Scandal

by Tom Nesi

Book Overview

Nesi offers a blistering account of the untold story of the Vioxx drug scandal. Poison Pills tells the shocking story that involves the breakdown of the U.S. medical system, the failures of the FDA, and profiteering by pharmaceutical corporations at the potential cost of thousands of lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031236959X
• ISBN13: 9780312369590
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.6" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Heroin, Cocaine, and Vioxx

This is a great book to read. I found it enlightening and unbiased. It is fascinating to learn all about how today's pharmaceutical giants are the same companies that brought us wonder drags like cocaine and heroin. The story comes to life nicely as you meet characters like Dorthy Hammil, and a bunch of "famous" doctors all partying it up in luxury while patients are dying. This is a story that needed telling and Nesi does a great job giving you the facts in a well told story. Someone should really make a movie out of this book.

A simple and eye-opening narrative

All I'd known about the whole Vioxx scandal was what I'd read in the Times up until this point, but I picked this up on a friend's recommendation and it was a fantastic read. A quick read, it had a compelling narrative that kept me going, but stayed away from too much commentary or hyperbole. The story was very clearly laid out with great insider e-mails and quotes. Of particular interest was the explanation of how the FDA was impotent and run by industry insiders under the Bush administration - sort of like the fox being put in charge of the hen-house! Overall, would definitely recommend.

A terrific read!

A riveting story, expertly told with lively narrative skill and dashes of humor as well as thorough documentation, "Poison Pills" is a vitally important book that casts new light on important issues surrounding health and medicine. The Vioxx scandal was a shocking abuse of power by one of the world's largest and most prestigious pharmaceutical companies--and the author makes it clear that the problems are not necessarily confined to Merck but may be a symptom of the pressures faced by all medical manufacturers. This book really makes you think and it's also highly entertaining, showing the human side of the story with a full range of emotions. Highly recommended to everyone!

Vioxx 101 for the Plaintiff

"Poison Pills" is not the book I thought it would be! It's nothing like the "standard" pharmaceutical exposes. You can tell it really tells the story from the inside. It sure isn't dry or dull. This is stuff you haven't read before and it goes way beyond the story of Vioxx. Even if you've never heard of the drug, you'll be fascinated by the behind the scenes corporate and medical deals. One last thing. It is funny! Many stories are entertaining. They are so outrageous, they must be true. No one is spared. Caution: you might never take an aspirin after this!

It's a Page Turner!

Poison Pills: The Untold Story of the Vioxx Drug Scandal I couldn't put this book down! Mr. Nesi thoroughly covers the story of the Vioxx drug scandal in a refreshingly honest way. I especially enjoyed the history of the pharmaceutical industry that he weaves into his story. I recommend this book to anyone in search of a great and informative read!