Drugwatch Investigates

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Drugwatch Investigates goes beyond the headlines to examine the drugs, devices and decisions that affect millions of Americans. Powered by the investigative journalists and consumer advocates of Drugwatch.com, each series combines expert voices with in-depth research to deliver the stories behind the science and the truth behind the treatments.

Episodes

  1. Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 3: Playing the Long Game — ‘Socialized Risks, Privatized Profits’

    7 HRS AGO

    Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 3: Playing the Long Game — ‘Socialized Risks, Privatized Profits’

    Drugwatch Investigates follows the money behind blockbuster drugs and toxic products to uncover a bigger pattern of socialized risk and privatized profit.  The episode looks at how slow regulation, aggressive marketing, thin approval evidence and delayed transparency can leave patients, taxpayers and insurers paying the price while companies keep selling and fighting in court. Hosts Terry Turner and Whitney Ray Di Bona interview experts to explore how advertising, orphan-drug pricing and litigation shape what the public sees — and what it doesn’t — about drug safety and value. You can read more about Big Pharma Behind the Scenes: Patients, Profits and Penalties from Drugwatch.com here: https://www.drugwatch.com/featured/big-pharma-behind-the-scenes/

    17 min
  2. Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 2: Inside the Machine — Big Pharma, Profits and Lawsuits

    7 APR

    Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 2: Inside the Machine — Big Pharma, Profits and Lawsuits

    Hosts Terry Turner and Whitney Ray Di Bona unpack how companies plan for legal risk long before products reach patients — from trial design and FDA strategy to marketing, lobbying and bankruptcy maneuvers like Johnson & Johnson’s failed “Texas Two-Step” talc strategy.  The episode features investigative reporters Shannon Brownlee and Jeanne Lenzer on how drugmakers shape the evidence behind approvals. Cardiologist Dr. Peter Kowey weighs in on the profit motives that influence research and prescribing, while whistleblower advocate Louis Clark discusses the legal pressure companies use to silence critics. Former pharma insider William Soliman talks about how litigation, compliance and transparency factor into every launch.  It’s a look at how Big Pharma's profits and lawsuits are often linked from the very start. You can read more about Big Pharma Behind the Scenes: Patients, Profits and Penalties from Drugwatch.com here: https://www.drugwatch.com/featured/big-pharma-behind-the-scenes/

    14 min
  3. Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 1: The Cost of Failure Measured in Injuries, Deaths and Lawsuits

    31 MAR

    Big Pharma Behind the Scenes Ep. 1: The Cost of Failure Measured in Injuries, Deaths and Lawsuits

    Drugwatch reveals how the legal system steps in when drug safety fails. Hosts Terry Turner and Whitney Ray Di Bona investigate new lawsuits over rare, permanent vision loss tied to GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. This discovery uncovers a wider trend — drugs approved on limited evidence, safety risks surfacing only after millions of prescriptions and families seeking answers in court.  Stanford law professor Nora Freeman Engstrom highlights how opioid litigation forced open the DEA's secret ARCOS database, which she calls the "Rosetta Stone" of the opioid crisis. Whistleblower advocate Louis Clark and former Merck insider William Soliman explain how Vioxx stayed on the market despite heart‑risk warnings.  Through these stories, this episode showcases how lawsuits can serve as a shadow regulator for Big Pharma, exposing hidden data, reshaping public understanding, and sometimes, finally removing dangerous drugs from the shelves. You can read more about Big Pharma Behind the Scenes: Patients, Profits and Penalties on Drugwatch.com

    25 min
  4. Beyond the Scale Bonus Episode: Health Concerns Emerge for Saxenda, Victoza

    04/09/2025

    Beyond the Scale Bonus Episode: Health Concerns Emerge for Saxenda, Victoza

    In this special bonus episode, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons revisit the topic of GLP-1 drugs to dive into emerging health concerns for Saxenda and Victoza. New research has uncovered a potential link between liraglutide, the active ingredient in those drugs, and permanent vision loss. To better understand the impact of this issue, Terry and Christian once again speak with attorney Danielle Gold from Weitz & Luxenberg, who is working on vision loss cases involving GLP-1s.Learn more at ⁠Drugwatch.com⁠.

    6 min
  5. Beyond the Scale Ep. 6: The Future of GLP-1 Drugs

    24/07/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 6: The Future of GLP-1 Drugs

    GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have reshaped how we treat obesity and diabetes — but what’s on the horizon? In this final episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons explore the future of these groundbreaking medications through insights from top experts.  Dr. William Hsu discusses the possibility of diabetes remission without lifelong medications. Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril sees GLP-1s becoming standard care, while Dr. Ashley Dwyer warns about disordered eating habits.  Dr. Lauren Cunningham emphasizes the importance of metabolic health over numbers on a scale. Rob Andrews explains how Medicare must adopt value-based pricing to ensure cost-effective access. And Dr. Steve Boyd warns that, unless we fix the healthcare system, the GLP-1 surge may not be sustainable.  Whether you’re taking these drugs, considering them, or just following the conversation, this episode offers essential insights into what lies ahead. Learn more at Drugwatch.com.

    14 min
  6. Beyond the Scale Ep. 5: Side Effects and Lawsuits of GLP-1 Drugs

    17/07/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 5: Side Effects and Lawsuits of GLP-1 Drugs

    In this revealing episode, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons dive into the side effects and emerging lawsuits surrounding popular GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Clinical pharmacist Dr. Lauren Cunningham breaks down how these medications work, their common side effects and when patients should be cautious. Health coach and former pharmacist Dr. Ashley Dwyer shares practical advice for managing side effects and preventing weight regain. The episode also features attorney Danielle Gold from Weitz & Luxenberg, who is helping lead lawsuits claiming Novo Nordisk failed to warn users about serious risks, including stomach paralysis and NAION — a rare, irreversible vision loss condition. As GLP-1 medication use rises dramatically, this episode explores the health risks, legal battles and what patients should know before starting these medications. Learn more at Drugwatch.com.

    22 min
  7. Beyond the Scale Ep. 4: Off-Label Use and Compounded GLP-1 Drugs

    10/07/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 4: Off-Label Use and Compounded GLP-1 Drugs

    In Episode 4 of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons investigate the growing off-label use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro — especially among people without diabetes.  As demand surges, so does the use of cheaper, unregulated compounded versions sold through telehealth and med spas. Metabolic health expert Dr. Matt Chalmers explains who should — and shouldn’t — be taking these powerful medications. Clinical pharmacist Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril breaks down what off-label prescribing really means and when it can be dangerous.  Rob Andrews, former Congressman and now CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance, raises alarms about the FDA’s limited oversight of compounding pharmacies. With stricter federal rules now in place, are patients any safer? And what risks still remain? This episode explores how access can outpace oversight — and why that’s a dangerous mix with drugs as potent as GLP-1s. Learn more at Drugwatch.com.

    14 min
  8. Beyond the Scale Ep. 3: Cost and Access

    03/07/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 3: Cost and Access

    In this episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons explore the high cost of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy — and why many Americans still can’t afford them.  Former Congressman Robert Andrews, a key architect of the Affordable Care Act and now CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance, explains why these medications remain so expensive and what it would take to bring prices down.  Pharmacist and Liviniti co-founder Dr. Steven Boyd takes listeners behind the scenes of the drug pricing system, shedding light on the role pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) play in driving up costs — and how employers are pushing back to make coverage more transparent and affordable.  Clinical pharmacist Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril returns to discuss the risks of compounded GLP-1 drugs, often sold at lower prices but without FDA approval or consistent quality. If you’re wondering who gets access to these life-changing medications — and why — this episode breaks it down. Learn more at Drugwatch.com.

    13 min
  9. Beyond the Scale Ep. 2: How GLP-1 Medications Work

    26/06/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 2: How GLP-1 Medications Work

    In this episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons break down how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work inside the body. These medications do more than suppress appetite — they change digestion, regulate blood sugar and even influence fat metabolism.  Clinical pharmacist Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril explains why these drugs are considered a breakthrough for people with and without diabetes. Diabetes expert Dr. William Hsu delves into the unique mechanisms of action, while metabolic health specialist Dr. Matt Chalmers examines how these medications aid the body in burning fat more efficiently. Finally, pharmacist-turned-nutrition and fitness coach Dr. Ashley Dwyer explains why these drugs aren’t a quick fix and must be paired with long-term lifestyle changes. This episode uncovers the science behind GLP-1s — and what it takes to make them work for lasting results. Learn more at Drugwatch.com

    11 min
  10. Beyond the Scale Ep. 1: The Rise of Ozempic

    19/06/2025

    Beyond the Scale Ep. 1: The Rise of Ozempic

    Where did drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro come from? In this premiere episode of Beyond the Scale: The Ozempic Effect, hosts Terry Turner and Christian Simmons trace the surprising origins of GLP-1 medications — from a hormone found in Gila monster venom to one of the most talked-about drug classes in the world.  Joined by clinical pharmacists Dr. Lauren Cunningham and Dr. Elizabeth Van Dril, they explore how GLP-1 drugs revolutionized diabetes treatment and reshaped the way we manage obesity. Dr. William Hsu, a former Harvard diabetes expert, explains why GLP-1s were a game changer. And Dr. Ashley Dwyer, a fitness coach and former pharmacist, offers a cautionary take on the social media frenzy and side effects driving headlines.  Discover the science, history and unexpected rise of these powerful medications and how they’re changing lives and stirring controversy. Learn more about Ozempic at Drugwatch.com.

    11 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Drugwatch Investigates goes beyond the headlines to examine the drugs, devices and decisions that affect millions of Americans. Powered by the investigative journalists and consumer advocates of Drugwatch.com, each series combines expert voices with in-depth research to deliver the stories behind the science and the truth behind the treatments.

Information

  • Creator
    Drugwatch.com
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Drugwatch.com
  • Show Website
    Drugwatch Investigates

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