A Call to Action

by Hank A. McKinnell

Explaining how to mitigate the potentially devastating impact of an international pandemic, the author urges readers to reassess their attitudes toward global pandemics, arguing that the solution lies... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 007144808X
• ISBN13: 9780071448086
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A catalyst for debate.

Look, there is a lot of misinformation in the media and in public forums about the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare in general. I've read and heard many stories that strike intensely emotional chords where the only purpose is to assign blame or seek out and expose the villainous (whatever moves the print I guess). The issues in healthcare, both global and domestic, are complex. They are too complex to draw simplistic conclusions about them or apply simplistic solutions toward resolution. To add these issues in affect are intimately personal to almost everyone, almost everywhere. We need experts who are closely related to the issues on a day-to-day basis to pull apart and reassemble our healthcare system, yes, in a pragmatic way but also with an unprecedented level of objectivity, creativity and compassion. I believe in this book Dr. McKinnell succeeds in relaying my point above. He also provides the basic building blocks to stimulate thought and he takes us far enough down the path to suggest dramatic changes. I believe we have reached the point of dire necessity. To ignore this would be in my estimation disastrous. READ THIS BOOK. Take the time to understand and do not draw your conclusions to quickly as some apparently have. I ask that you keep this basic thought in the back of your mind when reading: It takes on average 12 years to bring to market a new drug. Internalize this fact and apply it to your personal situation. Seek out the facts. These are my own views, take them or leave them.

A Decent Book Raising Legitimate Questions

Like it or not, to discuss about the healthcare system this book raised some legitimate questions such as sick-care vs prevention-care, free riding on the global market, malpractice law suits, third party payment system, etc. There are some industry and Pfizer PR stuffs in the book. Anyway, you cannot expect a current CEO of a company to suggest something that would hurt his company or industry. (By the way, Peter Rost seems to be an interesting exception. When he does this, you need to do some research on history and ask why.) Still Hank McKinnell discussed seriously about the overall structural loopholes and possible reforms of the system. Don't simply blame the pharmaceutical industry as the only "bad" boy in the game. It's true that not everything the companies do seems "right" under the bright sunshine, but who does in capitalism? That's why the system is designed to have balances and checks, while money chasing is the ultimate incentive in the market and real life. If you know fair amount of biomedical science, you understand how little we know and how difficult it is to develop a novel and really effective and safe treatment under current knowledge. Healthcare as a whole is a very large and complex system. Because of the sensitivity the system deals with, which is the length and quality of human lives, it is already under the toughest regulations among all industries. If you are open to new ideas and want to seriously think about the healthcare, you may find this book useful to provide some perspectives.

MEA CULPA BY A BIG PHARMA CEO

Pfizer's CEO, Dr. Hank McKinnell has written an astonishing book in which he admits that he doesn't always believe in what he's saying [11], that drugs from Canadian pharmacies are safe [69] and that high US drug prices have nothing to do with past R & D expenses [46]. He also writes that "perhaps pharmaceuticals represent too low a percentage of total healthcare spending" [45] and he calls for "price controls to be lifted" around the world [64], because "It is time for Canadians and others to pay their fair share." [65]. He also calls for a doubling of drug patent life [185] which would result in a drastic reduction of new, low-priced generic drugs. Dr. McKinnell starts his book with the surprising confession that he doesn't always believe in what he's saying. "They listened to my logic, but I could tell they weren't convinced, and to tell you the truth, I wasn't either." [11] He also doesn't shy away from embarrassing facts, "Branded drug prices are anywhere from 25-100 percent more expensive in the United States." [50] He even admits, "Drugs from Canadian pharmacies are as safe as drugs from pharmacies in the United States." [69] But his impressive mea culpa doesn't stop there. He slams everyone who makes a connection between drug prices and R & D. "It's a fallacy to suggest that our industry, or any industry, prices a product to recapture the R & D budget spent in development." [46] Finally, in an astonishing intellectual somersault, Dr. McKinnell claims that "price controls always make prices higher in the long run." [64] And since he wants to give people lower drug prices, by eliminating price controls, he writes, "Starting with pharmaceuticals, I call for price controls to be lifted in Canada and elsewhere." [64] Dr. McKinnell ends his book with a wonderful quote by Gandhi, for those who desire change. "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." [193] Dr. McKinnell just doesn't realize that he has become "them." Dr. Peter Rost is a Vice President of Marketing at Pfizer. The views expressed here are his own opinions. [ ]: Page number in "A Call to Action."

There is Hope

In "A Call to Action" Pfizer chairman Hank McKinnell makes the observation that the US has a "sick care" system, not a health care system. While the entitites working within this system may be the best at what they do, the lack of a true health care system will continue to impose a growing financial, social, and quality-of-life burden on all. Additionally, the health issues facing the world, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, are bigger than any one organization can handle. Through provocative observations and insightful questions, McKinnell creates a framework for the discussion of this crucial issue. The solution can not lie solely upon private enterprise, governments, NGOs, or individuals, but must be achieved through the concerted efforts of all parties, both public and private. The questions raised in this book provide a necessary framework to both get the dialogue going as well as to organize what may otherwise be considered an overwhelming task. Importantly, this industry veteran shows that there is reason to believe the goal is achievable. Our healthcare system has profound effects throughout every fiber of our society, from the way we live our lives to the taxes we pay to the role of government in providing for a healthful place in which to pursue our dreams. As such, it is important for all concerned citizens to understand the challenges facing the establishment and maintenance of a true health care system. "A Call to Action" is a surprising, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful challenge to establish a true and sustainable health care system. I strongly recommend this to anyone interested in one of the biggest issues facing the US both today and in the future.