Smoke, Mirrors, and the Pfizer Deal

 Mollie Engelhart, a mother and farmer, she expresses her skepticism about a deal between the Trump administration and Pfizer regarding a $70 billion commitment for research and production in the U. S. Engelhart emphasizes her belief in informed consent but reflects a feeling of being misled about the significance of this agreement.

1. Skepticism About the Deal:

• Engelhart expresses hope for changes in government transparency and corporate accountability, but feels deceived about the Pfizer deal.

• The narrative presented by the media frames the $70 billion as a groundbreaking commitment, but Engelhart argues it is actually Pfizer’s normal expenditure on research and development.

2. Rewards for Business as Usual:

• The article highlights that Pfizer is receiving benefits such as tariff relief and a direct-to-consumer program called TrumpRx without altering their existing practices.

• Engelhart feels that instead of taking risks or sacrificing profits, Pfizer is being rewarded for standard business behavior.

3. Previous Misleading Actions:

• Engelhart recalls that Pfizer misled the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing instances of manipulated records and downplayed risks associated with their vaccines.

• She emphasizes that the claims about vaccines stopping transmission were false, contributing to her distrust of Pfizer's motives.

4. U. S. Health Context:

• Despite being the biggest consumer of pharmaceuticals, the U. S. has poor health outcomes compared to other wealthy nations.

• High rates of chronic illness and preventable death in the U. S. raise questions about the effectiveness of reliance on medications rather than focusing on overall health and wellness.

5. Cultural Dependence on Pharmaceuticals:

• Engelhart critiques the culture that looks to pharmaceuticals for every health issue, suggesting this mindset leads to worse health outcomes.

• She desires a system focused on prevention, healthy food systems, and strong communities, rather than increased prescription drug consumption.

6. Concerns for Future Generations:

• Engelhart highlights that her primary worry is the legacy of health and wellness passed on to her children.

• She wants a world focused on natural solutions rather than a dependency on medications, opposing the notion that the Pfizer deal is a significant advancement for public health.

Engelhart concludes that the deal with Pfizer appears to serve corporate interests more than those of the public. She calls for genuine reform that prioritizes holistic health solutions over pharmaceutical dependency, urging society to recognize the gap between corporate claims and actual public health outcomes. She maintains that an authentic approach to health should emphasize prevention and community rather than simply increasing pharmaceutical consumption.

https://brownstone.org/articles/smoke-mirrors-and-the-pfizer-deal/