Big Pharma’s reach is more extensive than most understand. The video above shows some of Pfizer’s many sponsorships, a subtle nod to the billions of dollars the pharmaceutical companies spend every year to convince you to buy their products. The government has made Big Pharma’s job easier than ever by forcing citizens to take vaccines that are only offered through a handful of approved companies. Pfizer was able to gain traction on the marketing curve as its vaccine was the first to receive FDA approval, which means they have free reign to advertise.
People visiting from other countries are often shocked that American commercials are flooded with advertisements for prescription pills ending in “talk to your doctor about this medicine” before a voice reads out the side effects at a mile a minute. Drug representatives deliver free samples and other items to doctors’ offices and there are often incentives for prescribing whatever drug they are pushing at the time. One can only wonder how much these companies spend to lobby politicians. Pfizer lists some of their trade associate membership dues on their website, but it is safe to assume it spans much further.
Americans spent around $535.3 billion on prescription drugs last year. To put into perspective how much Pfizer alone has profited off of the COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer earned $41.9 billion in 2020 and is estimated to earn another $36 billion by the end of the year. There is a lot of money at play for these vaccines; a lot of money that powerful people do not intend to lose.
