Follow the Science audiobook cover - How Big Pharma Misleads, Obscures, and Prevails

Follow the Science

How Big Pharma Misleads, Obscures, and Prevails

Sharyl Attkisson

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Categories:
Corporate CultureEconomicsSociety & CultureHealth & Nutrition

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Follow the Science
Systemic Corruption & Corporate Influence+
Ethical Failures & Informed Consent+
Flawed Drug Approval Processes+
COVID-19 Mismanagement & Misinformation+
Politics Over Science in Treatments+
Long Covid & Vaccine Injuries+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What primary issue led to the quiet scaling back of the post-9/11 mass smallpox vaccination program?
  • A. The discovery that smallpox was no longer a viable bioterrorism threat.
  • B. The emergence and underreporting of severe side effects, such as heart inflammation.
  • C. The vaccine was found to be completely ineffective against modern strains of the virus.
  • D. Pharmaceutical companies stopped manufacturing the vaccine due to low profitability.
Question 2 of 7
What major ethical violation occurred during the government-funded SUPPORT Baby Oxygen study?
  • A. Parents were not fully informed of the severe risks, and medical staff were given intentionally manipulated oxygen readings.
  • B. Researchers tested an unapproved pharmaceutical drug on infants without FDA clearance.
  • C. The institutions involved charged parents exorbitant fees for participating in clinical trials without their prior consent.
  • D. Medical staff intentionally infected premature infants with respiratory viruses to test a new vaccine.
Question 3 of 7
Why was the FDA's approval of the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm highly controversial?
  • A. It was the first drug to cure Alzheimer's, but the FDA restricted its use to only the wealthiest patients.
  • B. The drug was approved without any clinical trials ever being conducted by the manufacturer, Biogen.
  • C. It was approved despite the FDA advisory committee overwhelmingly voting against it due to insufficient evidence.
  • D. The FDA mandated that all Medicare patients take the drug regardless of their actual Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Question 4 of 7
According to the text, what is a major obstacle for individuals seeking justice for severe vaccine injuries in the US?
  • A. They must prove that the vaccine was intentionally contaminated by the manufacturer during production.
  • B. The US legal system requires victims to sue the FDA directly rather than the pharmaceutical companies.
  • C. Medical records regarding vaccine administration are legally destroyed after five years, removing vital evidence.
  • D. The existence of a specialized vaccine court that operates under strict limitations and shields manufacturers from liability.
Question 5 of 7
How did early public health guidance regarding "sheltering at home" during the COVID-19 pandemic conflict with emerging data?
  • A. Data showed that sheltering at home completely eradicated the virus, yet officials urged people to return to work.
  • B. Data revealed that a majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations actually involved people who had followed the advice to isolate at home.
  • C. Studies indicated that sheltering at home caused severe vitamin D deficiencies, which was the true cause of most COVID-19 deaths.
  • D. The guidance was strictly enforced for rural areas, while urban centers were permitted to remain fully open.
Question 6 of 7
According to the book, what primarily influenced the public perception and restricted use of hydroxychloroquine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • A. A conclusive global scientific consensus that the drug was entirely lethal to humans.
  • B. A severe shortage of the drug caused by its sudden use in treating Ebola patients.
  • C. Political polarization and media narratives, particularly after it was endorsed by President Trump.
  • D. The discovery that the drug was actually a placebo manufactured by a shell corporation.
Question 7 of 7
What underlying physical issue do independent doctors like Dr. Jordan Vaughn link to the symptoms of "Long Covid" and "Long Vax"?
  • A. Severe deterioration of the lung tissue caused by prolonged ventilator use.
  • B. A chronic overproduction of white blood cells leading to autoimmune disorders.
  • C. Permanent neurological damage resulting from early experimental treatments like remdesivir.
  • D. Tiny, undetectable microclots in the bloodstream triggered by spike proteins.

Follow the Science — Full Chapter Overview

Follow the Science Summary & Overview

Follow the Science (2024) investigates the deep influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medicine, government, and media. It highlights how profit motives and high-level collusion have led to misinformation, ethical violations, and the suppression of critical voices. It encourages you to examine the sources of your health care information critically.

Who Should Listen to Follow the Science?

  • Investigative journalism enthusiasts interested in exposing industry corruption
  • Healthcare professionals critical of pharmaceutical industry practices
  • Anyone skeptical of mainstream media and medical narratives

About the Author: Sharyl Attkisson

Sharyl Attkisson is an Emmy Award–winning investigative journalist known for her in-depth reporting and nonpartisan approach. She’s worked for major networks like CBS and authored several best-selling books, including Stonewalled and The Smear, which explore media bias and government transparency. Her work focuses on uncovering hidden truths in journalism, politics, and health care​.

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