A Wellbutrin a Day Keeps the Doctor Flush

Good news in a recent lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline, which cost them $3 billion: Slate. Apparently it is but a small dent in their profits and the company and pharmaceutical industry will be just fine (the stock was actually up after the settlement). Glaxo, for one, has annual sales of $44 billion and the fine will do little to alter their practice of paying off doctors to market their drugs to patients. And for those who were concerned, Dr. Drew Pinsky will be just fine as well. Yes he looks kind of bad for taking money from the company he is shilling drugs for on television, to the tune of $275,000 for those who are counting. And sure he garnered another $115,000 from Jansen Pharmaceuticals. But rest assured that this doesn't influence the advice he's giving to women and children. And the money the pharma industry is giving to the FDA can't possibly influence their decision on drugs either. So clearly this is just another frivolous lawsuit that will do little to end the kickbacks that help doctors, TV personalities and the FDA make informed decisions on the treatments they should suggest for their patients. Whew, that felt troubling for a second.