False Claims: One Insider’s Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption

In this passionate debut, former pharmaceutical sales rep Pratta recounts her efforts to bring one of her employers to justice. After surviving an abusive childhood in New Jersey, Pratta began a career in drug sales in the 1980s. During her first several years in the field, she set annual sales records despite encountering rampant sexism. Her commitment to the industry eroded, however, after she started working for pharmaceutical company Questcor. Shortly after she started the job, Pratta learned Questor was encouraging its salespeople to promote off-label use of multiple sclerosis drug Acthar at excessively high doses in order to juice profits. Pratta’s friend and colleague, Pete Keller, told her that he was going to report Questor’s falsehoods to the feds and convinced Pratta to join him. In the end, Questor’s parent company, Mallinckrodt, agreed to settle with the federal government, though Pratta acknowledges that what disturbed her—“the kickbacks, the bribes, the off-label prescription use”—continues at other companies. Still, her pride in becoming “a person who had the ability to stand up for others” resonates. This is both an illuminating up-close look at how corruption works and a moving account of one person discovering her strength. Agent: Adam Chromy, Movable Type. (June)