“The report also noted that active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that failed purity tests had been reblended with good API until it met requirements.”–Katherine Eban, Bottle of Lies
This book was interesting and terrifying. We have all come to rely on generic drugs and this book by Katherine Eban delves into the issues with generics–namely that many are made outside the United States and even though the FDA sends inspectors to the manufacturing plants, they often have to give months of advance notice in order to get visas which gives the plants plenty of time to make everything look great by the time inspectors arrive.
Eban describes how generic drugs came about, the rush from multiple generics companies to get their version of the branded drug to the FDA first, even if it technically isn’t ready to go, and the challenges of enforcing FDA regulations at manufacturing facilities in other countries and the consequences of bad drugs making their way to consumers. Despite the technical nature of the material, Eban (an award winning journalist) writes with a narrative style that is easy to follow and understand. I thought the book was compelling and now pay more attention to where the generic drugs my family uses come from.
Content Advisory: Racism