Nice People are Dangerous
Even a casual observer of humans must have noticed how they respond to niceness. Niceness is bad for people. Nice people are dangerous.
We can all cope with nastiness. It gets us off our arses and spurs us into remedial action. It stimulates creativity, responsibility and builds character.
But niceness only excites our lazy and selfish genes.
You must know nice people who have unwittingly turned their partners into monsters by being nice to them, don’t you?
Monsters or babies.
The nice people have created an environment of perpetual forgiveness, unflinching support and total dedication. It’s a toxic brew that few can resist.
“If you are going to cater to my every wish, then my demands are only going to become more and more outrageous. More monstrous, and/or more infantile.”
What has all this to do with Pharma?
I suggest that Pharma’s monstrous behaviour has been the result of the public and the regulator’s indulgence of the industry.
Cosy and Unhealthy
The relationship between the regulators and the pharmaceutical industry has been a very cosy one in recent decades.
The literature abounds with examples. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry sees it’s principal objective as influencing legislation affecting the industry, and creating a beneficial business environment.
It enjoys a very favourable relationship with the government. As Secretary of State for Health, Stephen Dorrell, explained in 1996, "Our policy needs to provide firm support for the pharmaceutical industry... The industry knows that there will be no surprises, because our partnership is based upon constant, constructive dialogue... In order to guarantee that the benefits of this are enjoyed by the UK economy the Government is committed to ensuring that regulation of the sector is flexible and supportive."
Margaret Williams report on the Select Committee Inquiry into the influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry makes disturbing reading.
The appalling treatment of Dr. Victoria Hampshire at the FDA’s Centre for Veterinary Medicine is just one example of a pattern of greed, unhealthy influence and unacceptable practices by both Pharma and their regulators.
This is Going to Hurt
Years ago I remember being told a bold lie that : “This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you…”
It was a piece of nastiness that I seem to have survived, but it has left me with a healthy dislike of all forms of pain. It has affected my approach to most forms of physical exercise, and in particular skiing.
Let’s hope Pharma will come to realise the pain it has been inflicting on the public, and seek a healthier relationship with its regulators. It won’t be easy. Like most monsters, it appears to have little idea of how unpleasant it has become.
This is going to hurt.
(Tomorrow's Post: Social Leverage in Pharma)
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