Kennedy’s tenure could mark the beginning of the end for an industry that has bled Americans dry through patent abuse, price gouging, and relentless advertising.
But to slay the monster, Kennedy will need to go beyond surface reforms. The corruption is systemic, baked into the way the industry operates. When we talk of draining the swamp, it’s not just about eliminating a few bad actors—it’s about dismantling an entire ecosystem of misconduct and malfeasance.
First, there’s the Patent Problem. Patents are meant to encourage innovation, but in the hands of Big Pharma, they’ve become weapons of mass exploitation. Companies engage in “evergreening,” making minor tweaks to existing drugs—like changing a pill’s coating, dosage form, or delivery mechanism—to extend patent protection far beyond the original 20 years. This practice stifles competition, locks out generics, and keeps drug prices artificially high, all while offering little to no added value for patients.
Take Humira, the world’s best-selling drug. AbbVie, its manufacturer, filed over 250 patents for the drug, effectively blocking competition for decades and allowing the company to rake in more than $200 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, patients reliant on Humira for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease faced exorbitant costs, often exceeding $70,000 annually. Another infuriating example is Gleevec, a breakthrough cancer drug initially priced at $26,000 per year. After Novartis made minor modifications to the drug and secured new patents, prices ballooned to over $120,000 annually. Even as generics eventually entered the market, Novartis continued to manipulate pricing to maximize profits, ensuring financial burdens for patients persisted.
Kennedy could prioritize patent reform by advocating for legislation that limits evergreening and forces pharmaceutical companies to justify their patents with genuine innovation, rather than superficial tweaks. He could also strengthen the FDA’s ability to fast-track generic drugs, breaking Big Pharma’s monopoly and introducing competition to drive prices down. However, to make these reforms stick, Kennedy will also need to address the rot within the FDA itself. The agency has a long and sordid history of corruption, from cozy relationships with pharmaceutical executives to regulatory decisions that seem to do everything but prioritize public health. Cleaning up the FDA—instituting stricter conflict-of-interest rules, increasing transparency, and rooting out entrenched collusion—will be critical in ensuring that meaningful change takes hold. It’s no small task, I know. But, if not now, then when?
Pharmaceutical advertising is another pillar of Big Pharma’s exploitative empire. The United States is one of only two countries in the world—alongside New Zealand—that allows direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs. The consequences are as predictable as they are problematic.
DTC ads create demand where none should exist, convincing consumers they need medication for conditions they might not even have. Look at television commercials for antidepressants or sleep aids. These ads often include vague symptoms like “feeling down” or “trouble falling asleep,” followed by a nudge to “ask your doctor.” This manipulative marketing not only inflates healthcare costs but undermines the doctor-patient relationship, turning physicians into gatekeepers for Big Pharma’s profits. In reality, doctors are often less gatekeepers and more well-paid clients of the pharmaceutical industry. Medical schools across the country work hand in hand with Big Pharma, from curriculum development to research funding, shaping future doctors' perspectives to align with the industry's interests. Pharmaceutical representatives routinely court physicians with gifts, free samples, and persuasive sales pitches, embedding their influence deeply into clinical practice. As a result, treatment decisions can become skewed, favoring the latest expensive drug over more affordable or equally effective alternatives. This insidious relationship not only erodes trust but also compromises the very integrity of medical care.
Kennedy could work to ban DTC advertising outright, following the example of most other developed countries. Short of that, he could push for stricter FDA regulations, requiring ads to disclose actual drug prices and clearer information about side effects, thus leveling the playing field for consumers. While eliminating Big Pharma’s influence from medical schools may fall outside his direct purview, Kennedy could collaborate with educational institutions, advocacy groups, and Congress to push for reforms. This could include advocating for greater transparency in funding agreements, promoting unbiased medical curricula, and supporting independent research initiatives that prioritize patient outcomes over corporate interests.
Big Pharma’s grip on power doesn’t stop at its corporate offices or the lecture halls of medical schools—it extends deep into the very agencies tasked with regulating it. Along with the FDA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is riddled with conflicts of interest, as former executives from companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson routinely cycle into top government positions. This “revolving door” creates a culture where regulatory policies are crafted to protect Big Pharma’s bottom line rather than protect you, a taxpaying American citizen. Decisions that should be based on scientific rigor and patient welfare are instead tainted by industry influence, leading to lax oversight, inflated drug prices, and approvals that often benefit corporations more than consumers.
RFK Jr. can tackle this entrenched corruption head-on by instituting stricter conflict-of-interest rules, ensuring that regulators are truly independent of the industry they oversee. He could push for mandatory cooling-off periods for officials moving between public and private sectors and increase penalties for violations. Additionally, Kennedy could establish independent oversight bodies to audit FDA and CMS decisions, making the process transparent and free from undue industry influence.
The fight against Big Pharma won’t be easy. Its lobbying power grows stronger every year. But Kennedy is in a unique position to take on this challenge, with his track record as a fierce advocate for justice and accountability. This is his chance to not only break Big Pharma’s grip but to truly Make America Great Again.
