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Post Scrip: The ASPL Pharmacy Law Podcast
Post-Scrip is the podcast of The American Society for Pharmacy Law. ASPL is an organization of attorneys, pharmacists, pharmacist-attorneys and students of pharmacy or law who are interested in the law as it applies to pharmacy, pharmacists, wholesalers, manufacturers, state and federal government and other interested parties. ASPL is a non-profit which encourages diversity & inclusion with the Society, regardless of differing backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, orientations, origins, and practice settings. The Society embraces participation and diversity as it leads to advancing our purpose: Furthering knowledge in the law related to pharmacists, pharmacies, the provision of pharmaceutical care, the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, and other food, drug, and medical device policy issues; Communicating accurate legal educational information; and Providing educational opportunities for pharmacists, attorneys, and others who are interested in pharmacy law.
Post Scrip: The ASPL Pharmacy Law Podcast
S4E1 - Rethinking Medications with Dr. Jerry Avorn, MD
In this special edition premiere of Post Scrip, host Henry sits down with Dr. Jerry Avorn, MD, Harvard Medical School professor and author of the groundbreaking book Rethinking Medications: Truth, Power and the Drugs You Take. Dr. Avorn, a senior internist at Mass General Brigham and author of over 600 papers, takes us on a dive into the complex world of drug approval, pricing, and pharmaceutical policy.
This episode explores how the FDA's accelerated approval pathway, originally designed for AIDS drugs, has been used in part for medications like Aduhelm, the Alzheimer's drug that didn't work, could cause brain damage, and all at a high price. The conversation delves into the erosion of randomized controlled trials, the problematic influence of user fees on FDA decision-making, and Dr. Avorn's experience as an expert witness in the landmark Vioxx litigation.
Dr. Avorn discusses the challenge of "doing your own research" when drug companies control access to study data, his work in academic detailing to compete with pharmaceutical marketing, and the "because I can" pricing strategy that drives up drug costs. He also shares insights about maintaining independence by refusing personal consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies and about his organizations that focus on unbiased drug evaluation and education.
This conversation will hopefully encourage discussion among pharmacists, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping modern medicine, drug policy, and drug pricing.