Epistemic Corruption in the Pharmaceutical Industry and Medical Science

The Spectral Side of Medical Knowledge

By Sergio Sismondo, Department of Philosophy, Queens University

When a knowledge system loses integrity, it can have devastating consequences. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry and the body of medical science, this corruption has led to a "spectral side" of medical knowledge, based on the influence of "key opinion leaders" and the suppression of evidence that does not support industry interests.

In his book "Ghost-Managed Medicine," Sergio Sismondo explores this dark side of medical knowledge, examining how the pharmaceutical industry has infiltrated the medical research process and distorted the dissemination of information about drugs and treatments.

Sismondo argues that the pharmaceutical industry's influence has corrupted the very foundations of medical science, leading to a loss of objectivity and a lack of trust in the integrity of medical knowledge. This corruption has had a profound impact on public health and has undermined the ability of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

Sismondo's work is a wake-up call for the medical community and the public as a whole. It is a reminder that the pharmaceutical industry is not a reliable source of medical information and that we must be vigilant in protecting the integrity of our medical knowledge system.