In the article “Beat the Devil,” Alexander Cockburn discusses the widespread use of prescription drugs in the United States, which he refers to as a “disease.” He argues that drug companies and doctors have a vested interest in keeping people dependent on drugs, as it is a lucrative business. He describes how the rise of direct-to-consumer advertising has fueled this phenomenon, with pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on marketing campaigns to persuade people to ask their doctors for specific drugs.
Cockburn also discusses the role of the FDA in regulating prescription drugs. He notes that the agency is often criticized for being too slow to approve new drugs, but argues that the real problem is that it is too quick to approve them, and that the approval process is too heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
He cites examples of drugs that have been approved by the FDA, only to be found later to have serious side effects, such as Vioxx, which was linked to heart attacks and strokes, and Avandia, which was linked to heart failure. Cockburn argues that the FDA’s close relationship with the drug industry has compromised its ability to protect public health.
In conclusion, Cockburn urges people to be more skeptical of prescription drugs, and to do their own research before taking them. He argues that the best way to “beat the devil” of the pharmaceutical industry is to take responsibility for our own health, and to be wary of any drug that promises a quick fix.