Have you ever wondered about the hidden truths of the pharmaceutical industry? Well, you're not alone. Today, I had a powerful conversation with Dr. Neda Ashtari, a dedicated resident at Yale New Haven Hospital, who is bravely challenging the Big Pharma. We plunged into the depths of the system and its practices, shedding light on how the drugs are developed, the role of marketing in promoting drug safety, and where all the money actually goes. Neda’s personal connection to this fight against Big Pharma and her commitment to the University’s Allied for Essential Medicines adds an extra layer of passion and authenticity to our discussion. Delving deeper, we examined the cost implications of the current pharmaceutical system. It's shocking to discover how taxpayer money funds drug development without necessarily ensuring affordability for consumers. The stark reality of how pharmaceutical companies exploit market dynamics to set skyrocketing prices was a topic that we couldn't ignore. As a consequence, we uncover the crisis of unaffordable drugs in the US and the global lack of access to essential medicines. Dr. Ashtari gave an insider's perspective on these pressing issues that will leave you questioning the system as you know it. In the final stretch of our conversation, we zeroed in on the surrogate endpoints, conflicts of interest, and marketing tactics used by the pharmaceutical industry. We also discussed the industry's impact on drug pricing and the public's role in drug development. The most shocking revelation was perhaps the fact that pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing than on research and development. This episode is a deep dive into the pharmaceutical industry, its practices, and its implications. So, plug in your earphones and join us in this enlightening journey with Dr. Neda Ashtari. Trust me; you won't look at your medicine cabinet the same way again. Check out the shownotes to learn more! __________________ Support the Podcast Click here to send in a one time or monthly donation Join the Podcast Mailing list: https://www.globalhealthpursuit.com/mailing-list Make sure to follow Hetal on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook! Email her at [email protected]. Thank you so much. We deeply appreciate you.