Dinesh S. Thakur Biography
Dinesh S. Thakur is a public health activist focussed on improving the quality of affordable medicines across the globe. He current focus is to improve health policy in the United States and in India. He is an expert and accomplished entrepreneur in pharmaceuticals, biomedical product development, drug regulation, and information technology.
He was recognized with the Joe A. Callaway award for Civic Courage in 2014 and is the recipient of the ACFE’s Cliff Robertson Sentinel Award. He was named Whistleblower of the Year by Taxpayers against Fraud in 2013.
During his career, he held senior positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Ranbaxy Laboratories, and Infosys Technologies. Most recently, he co-founded and was the Chief Executive Officer (2007-2012) of Sciformix Corporation, a Scientific Processing Outsourcing organization that delivers services in the areas of drug safety, biometrics, medical and regulatory writing, and clinical operations.
During 2003-2005, Mr. Thakur was the Director & Global Head, Research Information & Portfolio Management at Ranbaxy Laboratories, India’s largest generic drug manufacturer. He was responsible for managing research and development information for generic drug development, manufacturing, and commercial operations. In addition, he implemented automated systems to capture research and development data for global regulatory submissions, compliance, and manufacturing.
While at Ranbaxy, Mr. Thakur discovered that the company was falsifying drug data and violating current good manufacturing practices and good laboratory practices. He resigned in 2005 after reporting the fraud to company management, and worked with authorities for eight years to unravel the complicated trail of falsified records and dangerous manufacturing practices. In May 2013, Ranbaxy pleaded guilty to multiple criminal felonies and agreed to pay $500 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations of falsified drug data and systemic manufacturing violations resulting in substandard and unapproved drugs. The groundbreaking settlement is the largest of its kind against a generic drug manufacturer.
Thakur received a Bachelors degree in Technology from Osmania University, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of New Hampshire, and graduate training from Syracuse University.
During mid 2018, I refilled my longstanding Prednisone with my prescription mail order service. I have been on it daily since the early 90’s. I noticed that the new prescription was not controlling symptoms of my Lupus (Connective Tissue Disease) as well as it had previously, and reported this to Humana, as well as the drug manufacturer or distributor, Roxane Labs. They insisted there was no change in the components of the drug, but did indicate that there was a change in the manufacturing process. Can you please advise here? I don’t know if there is a way to determine if this is true or not or what could cause this to be less effective.
Thank you
Dear Ms Lanier, Type II Variation of the manufacturing process, is documented and approved by the US FDA. Unfortunately, I dont know how to get access to this information from them, without filing a Freedom of Information Access.
The other area that I think you can look is for prevalence of Adverse Events with this formulation in the FDA AERS Database. The data files that the US FDA publishes are dated, but one can download the data and search if ro this drug. Here is the link: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-adverse-event-reporting-system-faers/adverse-event-reporting-system-aers-older-quarterly-data-files
Respected sir
Hello, My name is dr.akshar patel.I live in surat(Gujarat).i am homeopathic doctor and practice in Thyroid,liver,kidney,infertility disease and etc.i have many patient of chronic headache and migraine ,In this type of in patient painkiller don’t work or relive the symptoms so,I request you please check this also.I saw your show in lallantop show.you are doing great for us and our country and for humanity.if you want any information related gujarat i am here with you.
Thank you
Homeopathy is not science.
It’s voodoo to fool people.
Logon ko bewakoof banane ka tareeka hai. Koi scientifically collected evidence nhi hai to suggest it works.
Homoeopathy works. My whole family has been beneficiary of homoeopathy.
I am happy that you find it therapeutic.
For many, even placebos work just fine.
Dinesh is working to bulldoz morons, looters and emotional magician like Modi, Ambani and you.
Homeopathy is a crime.
Science is free from hypes and magic remedies, Homeopathy and Ayurveda, Ayush etc are masters in utopian panacea.
You peoepl are helping politicians by making huge money, befooling on the same pattern politicians, babas and Pujaris do.
Place your own kids for a while with the buthchered Gambian kids, but you would jump with joy, because the drug killed Gambian kids is Allopathic, your hard-core enemy. However you and your family seek best evidence based scietifically proven medical care like Baba Lala Ramdev.
This group collects pharma data on ineffective meds,
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/drug-information/
and Cleveland Clinic also does, if you can manage to find a data source.
Best wishes Cathy.
I was taking Diovan (no problem for 4 years) — and in July, 2014 it came out in generic form. I started taking it in August and started to get sick. My BP wasn’t lowered, in fact it was higher. My PCP doubled the generic valsartan to 320 and it made me sicker with stomach spasms until the early afternoon, (before I couldn’t even eat). My BP wasn’t lowered on a double generic valsartan dose. A couple months later I was in the ER with irregular heartbeat. I was also on the generic Lipisor astrovastatin at the same time. Lipitor made me sick with muscle atrophy I couldn’t even walk. After the generic, I was even sicker and with the two, and a doctor who didn’t believe me, I ended up in the ER. Fortunately I got a good cardiologist who knew I was sick on some poison meds cocktail, and I am now and have been back to normal. I don’t trust my PCP anymore. I only see specialist. Thank you Dr. Thakur for all your unselfishness.
I was taking Diovan (no problem for 4 years) — and in July, 2014 it came out in generic form. I started taking it in August and started to get sick. My BP wasn’t lowered, in fact it was higher. My PCP doubled the generic valsartan to 320 and it made me sicker with stomach spasms until the early afternoon, (before I couldn’t even eat). My BP wasn’t lowered on a double generic valsartan dose. A couple months later I was in the ER with irregular heartbeat. I was also on the generic Lipitor astrovastatin at the same time. Lipitor made me sick with muscle atrophy I couldn’t even walk. After the generic, I was even sicker and with the two, and a doctor who didn’t believe me, I ended up in the ER. Fortunately I got a good cardiologist who knew I was sick on some poison meds cocktail, and I am now and have been back to normal. I don’t trust my PCP anymore. I only see specialist. Thank you Dr. Thakur for all your unselfishness.
Dear Mr Thakur, I have just read Bottle of Lies. I’m filled with admiration on how you have conducted yourself. We, (newslaundry.com) will be doing a story on the book and will run excerpts. Would it be possible to interview you? Are you in India or the US?
I will include my phone number if you could email me.
Many thanks.
Madhu Trehan
Editor in Chief, newslaundry.com
By the way, my husband Naresh is Chairman of a Medanta Hospital and is deeply interested in this subject.
I concur with Madhu; I am in awe! Kudos!
Although I cannot help but wonder whether Big Pharma made any contribution to funding Katherine Eban’s research for the book.
Anyhow, it’s a pity that the Singh brothers, and many others got away scot free and were never brought to book.
Disclosures about the funding for the book have been made by the author on her website and during responses to this question multiple times on Twitter, http://www.katherineeban.com
Thank you; I did see that. I guess, I’m just a skeptic; what with “alternate facts” in the Trump era 🙁
.Thank you so much, Mr. Thakur.
I have also read Bottle of Lies. I have the deepest respect for your courage and unfailing determination to right such a pernicious wrong. I am dependent on 17 drugs. How in world is it conceivable for and individual to track one’s drugs? The pharmacy buys from wholesalers who can suddenly switch manufacturers. A little note from the pharmacy says the appearance is different but the ingredients are the same and is fully approved by the FDA. After reading that book my faith in unknown inspectors and regulators has diminished to outright skepticism..
I know that your career path was severely damaged by your honesty, but I hope that the good would repaid.
Thank you,
Rabbi Dov Berkowitz
Dear Mr. Thakur,
I have just read Bottle of Lies and am in awe of your dedication and perseverance. Please know that it is not hyperbole to compare you to Mahatma Gandhi, for whom I have the very deepest respect. When one considers how many lives are potentially impacted by your noble crusade, the comparison is apt.
As a veterinarian in the U.S., I rely heavily on generics to make treatment affordable for my patients. Animals as well as humans stand to benefit from your mission to make generic drugs safe.
Godspeed to you.
Susan M. kelly, DVM
Dear Dr Kelly, Thank you for your kind words, but the comparison is not appropriate. Gandhi is one of my role models, someone who I look up to and draw inspiration from. But I appreciate your thoughts and I am grateful that you took time to write. – Best Wishes, Dinesh Thakur
Dear Mr.Dinesh Thakur,
I read your PIL was dismissed as withdrawn in view of Locus. I can volunteer to be Indian citizen that can represent the matter in the Apex Court or other forums. Myself been and being a victim of medical negligence do understand the issue having suffered personal professional losses. My locus as an Indian perhaps will not be questioned by the Hon’ble Court and perhaps the petition may get admitted. I can volunteer to work on the front or anonymous as be the need. Hope if the PIL was filed with genuine and sincere interest for public cause , then i look forward to receiving a reply from your goodself so that observations made by Hon’ble Court in your PIL stands corrected and rectified for restoration of the matter in Public Interest – Indian.
Rgds…
Dear Mr Mittal, thank you for writing and for your offer. All the underlying data and legal arguments from my PIL are available for anyone to take and use as they see fit. They are all available on this blog site.
My PIL wasn’t withdrawn because of my locus. This question was answered to the satisfaction of the judges by my counsel. The bench did not want to entertain my petition because they said I was doing it to garner publicity.
As far as my legal strategy is concerned, the Delhi High Court has admitted my writ on a specific issue which I thought was really egregious in my Supreme Court PIL and this is currently being litigated. I have other areas of drug regulation currently under study which was not a part of my 2016 PIL which I expect to go back to the court with. Thank you for your offer and I will certainly consider it once we have our background work for the new areas completed. Thank you
Sincerely,
Dinesh Thakur
Sir, i came to know about you and your contribution towards healthsector very recently. I became a big fan of your courage.
Pardon me please but the opening word of your introduction on this website needs improvement.
Thank you and hats off.
Hi. Is there an email ID where I can reach you for a detailed discussion? Couldn’t locate it on this website.
Dear Ms Mehta, it is the first line on the media page: https://dineshthakur.com/media/
My email is dinesh.thakur@gmail.com
The book BOL has opened my eyes. I have been taking Levothyroxine pills (generic Synthroid) for over 20 years with manufacturers switched multiple times and never paying any attention to it. My thyroid symptoms have been up and down and the doctors just playing with the dosage variations. I don’t think any of the family doctors are aware of the generic controversy. Insurance will only cover generics, no surprise here. Even with cash option it’s hard to find a pharmacy that sells the brand Synthroid.
I feel that I am smarter now, nevertheless much more frustrated.
How can we help to better this?
Write to your Congressional Representative / US Senator and ask them to do something about this
Today (in Singapore) I got my BP medication, a standard losartan drug from a polyclinic – however it is manufactured by Sun Pharma, an Indian drug company.
Should I take this medication given all the fines and proven misconduct charges levied by the FDA on Indian pharma companies?
I am not a medical doctor, I cannot offer you medical advise. Kindly consult your physician. Thank you
I’m not sure why you would ask this gentleman that question as you should probably consult your doctor, look up the medication online and see what other individuals have to say about that particular medication. Otherwise, I firmly believe now in just paying extra for the brand name.
I am not a physician, I cannot advise you whether you should stop taking your medication. Please consult your doctor
Thanks for your bravery in uncovering fraud and your focus on improving generics.
BOL opened my eyes and I will be very wary of medications my Dr. prescribes, who makes them, and my pharmacy.
Thank you for the selfless work you are doing.
A very dark, difficult and painful road you’ve traveled. Thank you, for every step of your every day that you walked the walk. Stunning, the enormous resolve integrity demands.
Hello,
What do you recommend for us, pharmacist in the United States, who dispense thousands of generic medications every year without assurance that what we are dispensing is what we expect it to be? How can we verify? Where to start?
Please check out this small company called Valisure based in CT. – Dinesh Thakur
As a recently retired physician in leading position at a large hospital in Germany, I was first confronted with generics many years ago. I could understand, that my patients were confused, because their familiar drugs suddenly had a diiferent name and appearance with each prescription. I could not understand, why they frequently complained about how the drugs worked or not and because of hitherto unknown side effects. My hospital pharmacist stated flatly that this was impossible. Metoprolol was frequently mentioned. Then came the first generics for the immunosuppressive drugs I worked with. I first got informed by patients in the ward, asking me what happened to their familiar drugs. I only saw the problems I had with getting stable blood levels, again the hospital pharmacist assured me that all these drugs had been well tested and could be substituted one to one! I currently work as a locum in dialysis and nephrological units. When trying to write a prescription, I am confused by the long lists of choices that are all supposed to be the same drug. Recently a pharmacist told me, that it doesn’t matter what I prescribe. She will give the patient something different anyway (depending on several external factors, dictated by her computer). The book “Bottle of lies” has made clear what has really been going on and it has confirmed my worst fears. Who ever still thinks that the patient comes first has another reason to stop dreaming.
Mr Thakur I cannot be grateful enough for the risks you took and your perseverance. The price you paid was high. Too few know that.
Hi Dinesh,
Recently I read the Book by Katherine Eban, Bottle of Lies…. Its quite an eye opener… I live in Ahmedabad so basically I don’t have any choice but to buy medicines for myself and my family made by Indian companies… But the book and your pursuit of Truth has opened up my eyes… I am more aware as a customer now… Thanks to you and your pursuit of Truth…
At present as an Indian customer I have only two choices one don’t fall sick and second if that happens look for medicines from European or American companies…. And I am sure with the Govt Of India push for cheap medicines under Ayushmaan Bharat and other schemes quality must have plummeted to rock bottom…
As a customer all I can say to you your Pursuit is thanks from the bottom of my heart… You are a Hero..
Bhaskar Sharma
Thank-you.
Congrats…. finally long hand of justice catch up with Malvinder Singh….
For many years (since 2002) I predicted India’s growth story would falter because of a lack of quality, okay.. dishonesty and
lack of innovationn. I chose a path of cunning keeping myself hidden
as far as possible, these people can be vicious. I also cannot spend my whole life fighting with the low life, and there is a lot of them. I worried about this point a lot. Success comes slowly, the Indian government is nervous/scared about change. You chose a different way and succeeded. It could easily have been different.
Mr thakur i just read bol, and wanted to thank you for your steadfastness and efforts in tackling this shocking criminality in the drug industry. If there is any way we can support your cause it would be a privelege
Years ago when generics first came on the market, I didn’t think to question their quality. I suffer from severe Restless Leg Syndrome which can keep me up for hours every night. Certain foods or drugs can exacerbate my condition, but the worst BY FAR is diphenhydramine HCI, found in Tylenol PM and antihistamines. I learned to stay far far away from anything containing diphenhydramine HCI. The only drug that gave me any relief was Ambien. Ambien was an absolute godsend and worked reliably. Then I was switched to generic Ambien. My experience was horrible. My legs reacted just like they did when taking diphenhydramine HCI. There is zero doubt in my mind that whatever I was taking had diphenhydramine HCI in it as nothing, NOTHING affects me the way diphenhydramine HCI does. For all I know that was all there was in it. Obviously Ambien is not a life-saving drug or a drug that I absolutely have to take. But what about antibiotics, blood thinners, statins, insulin, etc.? Something needs to be done but the only thing that ever seems to make companies change is MONEY. I have little faith in the FDA to do anything, they are understaffed as it is. What I would like to see are private companies that test drugs for their accuracy and rate the generic drug manufacturers. Consumers can pay a small fee to subscribe to these private companies (the private companies will need to make some money after all). Shed some sunlight on who is manufacturing crappy drugs and who is manufacturing quality drugs. Thank you for having the courage and fortitude to bring this issue to light.
Mr. Thakur,
I also just finished reading Bottle of Lies and I am eternally grateful for all the sacrifices you made to do the right thing for the greater good. I wish we had more people like you in this world.
I am curious your thoughts on something. I learned about the company Valisure through Katherine Eban. They test batches of drugs before they send them out to consumers, which is amazing. However, I know they can’t possibly test for everything – which makes me wonder if going name brand is safer. I worry about name brand drugs also since most API’s are made by the same manufacturer’s that make problematic generic drugs. So my question is, should people go with a generic drug from a questionable manufacturer that has at least been tested for basic contaminants from a company like Valisure, or opt for the name brand where we have no testing at all on that drug’s API?
Awaiting to hear your perspective on this. Thank you!
Hello,
I came to your page after searching for Surien Pharma. I have done business with this company via an ex employee of mine who proved to be not so honest. Right now the company totally disappeared with no trace. Their website is not there anymore, their telephone numbers and emails are not working. Could you please let me know if this was a real company and if so what happened to it.
Thank You,
Frank
I have no way of answering your question. My apologies.
So grateful to you, Mr. Thakur, for your diligence and willingness to take on insurmountable odds and efforts to save lives around the world. You are an inspiration, and not to negate any of the most difficult days you went through, as a few weeks of research and reading a book could never help anyone to fully realize all you endured… I just hope that you know we are all so grateful for you. We are grateful for your courage. Your wife and children must be unbelievably proud of you. Just saying thank you seems so lacking for the situation but that’s all I’ve got. Warm wishes and best regards for much future success! You’ve certainly earned it!
Mr. Thakur –
I believe, we are all creatures of our time and place. I am grateful for your time and place and the many people who influenced your character. The world is better as a result of your unwavering integrity.
“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you don’t stop.” – Confucius
Thank you
Mr. Thakur:
Thank you for your uncommon bravery. I have no doubt that the worlds drug supplies are far more safe due to your actions. I spent a career operating nuclear power plants and the regulatory view of the FDA scares me badly. I can not wrap my mind around a regulator that has the power to shut down an unsafe process and refuses to exercise it. I also want to add my sorrow and appreciation for your family who no doubt aid to dearly for our safety. From my time in the Vietnam Nam era Army there were many heroes. Most never considered themselves as such – just doing what we all should do. Thank again for your selfless acts and uncommon bravery. Be well!
Hi Mr. Thakur,
After reading BOL, we thank you for the work you have done, the journey you have taken is nothing short of heroic.
As a US Big Pharma trained, I found myself shocked in the a top university’s GMP facility and ultimately being asked to leave. I was the head of QC, to be honest, should leave or I’d have to be responsible and unsettling for the what happened in that cGMP-claimed facility of my dismay, yes fake claims of data in IND, completely nonSOP data, and tons of deviations. Comparing to what you have been through, my case was different sharing some similarity in the personal level – it is for early clinical trials so not that impactful to the majority; the university is probably one of the richest in the nation yet decision made by choice not by financial burden; I felt scarred and difficult job searching after that; and most unfortunately, I do not have your stamina to push through. FDA usually does not have bandwidth or interest to inspect academic small GMP facility -so they get away with it. Just felt a bit validated after reading the book, and wanted to say thank you!
Mr. Thakur,
I am reading Bottle of Lies and it really hits home with me. I know the companies in the book and am familiar with some of the people. I have friends who worked for American branches of some of the companies mentioned. I worked in the American generics industry for years and, as a matter of fact I was interviewing at Able Labs for a QC manager position while the FDA was onsite, weeks before they were shut down. I just thank God I wasn’t farther along in the interview process because I would have been right in the middle of everything.
No words can express my appreciation for what you have done to protect patients. It had to take even more courage than anyone could imagine, but it was truly the right thing to do. Impacts of the issues you uncovered are still being felt. Over the years I saw a changing focus in FDA inspections I participated in. I suspected the reasons for the change but never truly understood the reasons until I read this book. Definitely, the increased scrutiny is a good thing.
Thanks for your continued vigilance.
Alice
A different, but related issue in the US is the number of errors made by large chain pharmacies. An article in the NY Times on 1/31, “How Chaos at Chain Pharmacies Is Putting Patients at Risk” reports how prescriptions are being filling with drugs that aren’t even close to what has been prescribed with serious, and sometimes tragic, results. Although these cases don’t appear to be intentional deceit, it is just another reason that we need to be increasingly vigilant about the drugs we take.
Mr. Thakur,
Thank you for everything you do to help protect patients around the world. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself on the line when you could have just gone along with the deception. I depend on safe pharmaceuticals for my patients and you have opened my eyes to an issue that affects all of us.
Thank you for your kind words and for reaching out.
How to get email of dinesh Thakur to get from him authoritative materials enabling ban of sale of coldbest pc which contains diethylene glycol above danger level
Hi sir this is Riteshpatil running 2 janaushadhi stores in nizamabad (Telangana) since 4 years ,after l seen on lalantop I got to know many new things,so I have some information which I want to share you,by meeting you .so where I can?
Please visit dineshthakur.com. My contact information is listed on the media page
I just saw your interview on the lallantop show. Very very grateful to you for bravely exposing the wrongs with the pharma industry. Though I reside in the states, I will definitely make sure that my parents/siblings in India are aware of this and take their medications with caution.
Dear Mr. Dinesh,
We cannot thank you enough for your grit in the long and continuing struggle against the malpractices in the pharma industry in spite of personal challenges. Bottle of lies is an eyeopener, with my close relatives in India on various medications for chronic illnesses. Are you aware of a database in India like the one on peoples pharmacy with brand name or better generic alternatives for drugs? If not, would you be able to start this campaign?
Thank you for your message. No, I am not aware of a database like the one you mention. I am working on a campaign, but it is focussed more on regulation. Folks like you who have the desire and the capacity to help should take this up
Very grateful for your continued efforts. I shall see what I can do too. Thanks.
My personal vocabulary in relation to anti-social/ mafia elements is shaped after enhancing the knowledge from valuable review in (LallanTop Show)! Mafia in society and mafia in corporates, especially, in pharma/ health sector can’t be prosecuted unless & until all stake-holders (Society>Governments>Customer) could give immediate feedback on a platform of Regulatory Authority which should be linked with a Pharma’s (R&D)! Unfortunately, political economy landscape had gripped all sector(s) and all segment(s), except health and security and inclusiveness of a citizen, especially most vulnerable! One pharma company had entered into real-estate to re-cycle the unethical profits to another profiteering industry. Affordable (generic) medicine; health/ medical requirement; education; housing is not experienced by the poor and middle class segments of society!
Secondly, 50 years ago Pharmaceutical Companies were gifting Fiat Car to a practicing Doctor! Now-a-days, the situation is quite different!
Since naturopathy; unani; aryuvedic; homeopathy are not touched by the Science/ Research & Development/ Diagnostic & Investigation which are mainly supported by Corporates! May I seek your suggestion, how “naturopathy; unani; aryuvedic; homeopathy” could be equated with alleopathy medicine for benefits of society!
To your question in the last para, by studying available evidence in a scientific manner. There are anecdotes of these alternative therapies providing benefit to patients, but no conclusive scientific evidence exists to support that claim. If we are able to substantiate these claims with evidence, then we have something to talk about
Hi Dr Thakur,
I would like to work in your organisation,could you let me how please?
Suffering from UC for the last 20 years and having a cocktail of drugs day after day, I completely understand how each generic and even each batch of the generic can screw a person, just because norms and rules have been flouted.
I would be more than happy to work with you on any campaign that can nail these conscience-less companies and educate the layman not to trustingly put anything inside of him.
🙁
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hi. The https://dineshthakur.com site is great: it has a lot
of valuable information and is easy to find.
I learned a lot from here, so I want to ask about a recommended book as the best natural remedies: https://bit.ly/3cJNuy9
What do you think, it’s worth buying, is it too cheap? Thanks and hugs!
Dr Thakur
Do you have list of drugs made in India that are approved by FDA and used both in India and USA. In other words can US resident safely use those drugs from India.
Dear Mr Madhukar,
To your first question, you can find approved aNDAs on the US FDA website. I dont know how to create a list of drugs used both in the US and in India. There isnt a consolidated of approved drugs in India on the CDSCO website.
To your second question, this is for your physician. I cannot advise medical advise
Dear Sir
We authored an article titled “Critical Review and Analysis of Approval of Favipiravir for Restricted Emergency Use in Mild to Moderate COVID-19” and its pre print version has been posted in “SSRN- Preprints with The Lancet” (Its not in Lancet).
It can be read in the following link https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3636958.
I wish to request you to go through and share your comments.
Thank you.
Regards
Dr R Arunkumar MD PhD
It is a great blog post.I am always read your blog helpful and informative tips. I like it thanks for sharing this information with us
I am reporting on the use and promotion of Ayurvedic therapies for COVID-19. I would very much appreciate your expert comment on this issue. Please let me know if you have time to correspond with me.
Thank you for reaching out. You can send your queries to my email at dinesh.thakur@gmail.com. I am not qualified to comment on Ayurveda, but if your questions are about manufacturing processes, I can look at them closely.
I am half way through Bottle of Lies. I am horrified to read as we use many drugs made in India. By the way, I was head of a Business School for a while in India, there I experienced the tyranny of three quote by the accounting folks. But that is not a problem , as phony quotes are generated and sent.
Overall, I find that there is widespread lack of understanding for quality and safety. I attribute to poor education of workers at lower level. People at the top don’t care because of greed. Consumers tolerate as they have no recourse as the government is corrupt irrespective of the color of their flags.
Heard your interview with Trehan. We traveled similar paths. Please see
http://ethicalmanagementluke.in/passport_of_gujrat.php
Alexander Luke, IAS(Retd.)
Hello Dinesh Thakur, I am aware of your whistleblowing work with Ranbaxy. Thank you for your work in exposing this. I have a database of information that exposes fraud within an entire medical association. I am sending you an email soon, and would love the chance to speak with you if possible.
What can be done to check the irresponsible use of third or fourth generation antibiotics in private hospitals in India. Meropenem is being used as prophylaxis for steroid therapy in covid19.
There should be some hospital licensing authority that should audit for irrational drug use in private hospitals and make the hospitals take responsibility or lose their licence for running a hospital.
Hi DT
I was CTO at sciformix from 2014 to 2016, so first heard about you there. Then bumped into you on twitter by accident.
Would like your opinion/advice on some AE ideas that i am pursuing. Be great if we cojld connect.
Regards
Karthik
How can I help?
Hello,
My name is Rachel. First, I would like to say thank you very much to for speaking out on mental health issues and I appreciate you so much. I want to share some information I have come across while researching mental health and alternative treatments.
Advances in mental health treatments have been pretty stagnant for quite some time with current treatments not being effective for all people. As you may know, there is increasing evidence that the microbiome plays a huge role in disease, in particular mental health. A woman named Jane Dudley in Australia had documented and diagnosed bipolar 1 for over a decade. She is now symptom free (over 3 years) and off of medicine per her psychiatrist. She was able to accomplish this through a series of microbiome transplants. You can see her story on her website whathavewedung.com
Since her recovery, she has helped about 5-8 people do the same for themselves.
With mental illness being so prevalent in our world it is remarkable that this type of research is not fast tracked. I am wondering if you are interested could you please give some assistance to push for this research and make it more well known to the public. I’m surprised an ingestible device that analyzes the microbiome has yet to be invented.
Thank you for your time.
Hello Rachel, will reach out to you on email. – Dinesh Thakur
Such a great personality working towards the better healthcare system. Thank you for upgrading my knowledge.
Hi Mr. Thakur, I am a bachelors and masters in engineering, now working with a financial firm in the US. I heard our podcast with Amit Varma. I must admit, hearing your podcast made me realize that how uninformed and ignorant I have been of public health for the most part of my life, I probably didn’t even know exactly the difference between the brand name and generic drugs. There are certain points that left with me after the podcast which I don’t wish to forget and in some way do my bit to achieve , a) making system transparent, people accountable and incorporating the idea in individuals starting at school and quality research, b) awareness amongst general people c) stringent and modernize laws.
I’ll take this opportunity to also request any volunteerism required where I can leverage not only my skill but also my desire to help change the system and accomplish your mission.
Thank you. The best thing I can suggest is to talk to your friends and family and educate them on the issues we deal with when it comes to our drug supply.
I just read the book “A Bottle of Lies”. You did a courageous deed. It’s not easy to stand up against these ‘mafias’. I wish more people had your courage and integrity. Sad that the people responsible for it didn’t go through what they made their customers go through.
Dear Sir, Can i get your contact details?
Regards,
Pradeep Gaikwad
My email address is listed on the website.
Dear Dinesh,
Thank you for your brave work protecting patients.
At Ranbaxy, was there a quality control problem related to accurate dosage on bottles of hydroxychloroquine? I was wondering if back in 2009 there might have been a problem with the dosage being much higher than the stated strength for this drug? Many including myself had very bad gastric issues on the Ranbaxy hydroxychloriquine and stopped the medication – it might be worth trying again if the gastric issues were due to overdose from quality control issues.
Thanks!
Lisa, I left the company back in 2004. If there was an issue with the dosage, I wouldnt know first hand.
Dear Dr .Dinesh Thakur,
I am inventor of a Clinical Nutrition based product which is an oil extract of Tomato standardized for containing 418 microgram of beta-Carotene in one ml. daily dose. Research publications of others on about 24 human clinical trials published in about last 20 years on administration of beta-Carotene have a “Significant Scientific Agreement (SSA)” (as defined by US FDA in its guidance to industries) that beta-Carotene improved Natural Killer Cell Activity in human beings. NK Cells do not need vaccination or exposure to a pathogen to ensure that body cells infected by microbial pathogens are destroyed within hours before the entered microbe has opportunity to release its multiplied progeny in the body to produce the disease.
In view of current irrelevance of vaccines for absolutely ending the Pandemic due to fast mutating Novel Coronovirus lineages, the NK Cell Activity Booster is a game changer product which is extremely affordable too. It can work in conjunction with vaccines and even without vaccines; and this itself is becoming a factor that is coming in the way of marketing since it may replace the entire financially strong vaccine business: not only for Covid-19m but for any and every infectious disease and cancer too.
However, in view of the current vaccine-centric approach and medicine-centric approach, I am finding it difficult to get serious attention from health authorities whenever I send this information to them.
Can you help me to take this up to decision makers in healthcare sector in USA, India and WHO so that they acknowledge this as a prospective product to protect the people affordably. People would not understand scientific logic, but will be favorably affected by official endorsement of its utility and merits and this may stimulate companies to take this product for manufacture and sale to the public.
Should you feel this is within the scope of your mandate, I shall send you scientific/technical details, our published and unpublished literature on this subject and the roadmap we have in our mind how to commercialize this product by licensing to capable companies. Our experience is that every company we contacted appreciates the merits; but everybody is looking for an established market or endorsement from Government/WHO.
In the meanwhile you may take a look at information on this subject matter on link of our website: https://www.phytabolites.com/products.html#LeImmune .
Regards.
Dr. V.A. Savangikar
Mobile: +91 9970989243
http://www.phytabolites.com
India
.
Salute to your unique humane work, Dr. Dinesh, Adv Reddy.
You have bulldoze the morons, looters and emotional magician like Modi, Ambani and so called traditional medicines and homeopathy, acupressure etc..
Science is free from the hypes and magic remedies, but under the guise of pious nationalism the medicine manufacturer are committing crimes. You dare to expose these criminals.
Homeopathy is a crime, so is Ayurveda, Ayush etc these people want allopathic medicine criminals to flourish as they fees upon the carcases of their victims being masters of utopian panacea.
Spurious drug makers and Ayurvedic criminals are helping the national agenda charged politicians. They make huge money, they are masters in befooling the gullible masses on the pattern of Ganesh-surgery politicians, Diabetes-Go babas and Jhada-Pujari.
You have opened the eyes of world by publishing the Truth pill Book. You must have gone the Healers or Predators by Dr. Nandy and Team.
You see the butchered Gambian kids as your own, hence able to speak like Rana Ayyub.
Standing ovation to Dinesh, Adv Reddy and Karan Thapar.
Hello Mr. Dinesh, I am Aditi from VICE, India. We’re doing a podcast series on drug regulations. Was wondering if I could speak with you regarding that. Could you kindly share your email ID or any other contact number with me?
My ID is aditi.ramalingam@gmail.com
Looking forward to your reply 🙂
Dear Mr. Thakur,
I just concluded reading “Bottle of Lies”, and want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of patients everywhere to help ensure the purity and potency of prescription medication. Although we still have a long way to go to rectify the problem, at significant risk to yourself, you took one of the first steps. Again, thank you!
बहुत बहुत साधुवाद दिनेश जी आपका
इसी तरह कास्मेटिक एवं पेकेज्ड खाद्य पदार्थों में भी बहुत अधिक समस्या हैं क्या आप या आपकी टीम इस पर भी कार्य कर रहे हैं। या आप किन्ही संस्थाओं व्यक्तियों को इस तरह के संघर्ष के लिए त्यार कर रहे हैं ।क्योंकि किसी का भी मानव जीवन की एक सीमा होती है और इस तरह की लड़ाई बहुत लंबी जब तक चलती हैं की देश के अधिकांश नागरिक एक साथ आवाज न उठाए एवं भारत जैसे देश में लोगो को एक जुमले से भटकाना नेताओं को बड़ी अच्छी तरह से आता हैं आखिर बहुत मोटे फंड का सवाल जो रहता हैं तो चाहकर भी सरकार कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठाती हैं नही तो सरकार ही नही बचाती । हम पूरी तरह आपके इस अभियान में सहयोगी रहेंगे ।हैं काफी समय से नकली मिलावटी या अप्रमाणिक दवा एवं उसके मूल्य निर्धारण के संबंध में चिंतित हैं और देशका प्रत्येक नागरिक चिंतित होगा ही किंतु कोई एकता सूत्र नही मिल रहा था जो प्रमाणिक रूप से वैज्ञानिक विधायो से सवाल खड़ा कर सके ।आज आप हैं यह बहुत खुशी की बात हैं हम चाहते हैं आपकी टीम बड़ी हो पुनः बहुत बहुत साधुवाद आभार धन्यवाद हर हर महादेव सच्चिदानंद ,
I just watched yours and Prashant Reddy’s interview and about your book “The Truth Pill” on Newslaundry. I request everyone should watch this interview in Youtube
(Pharma woes: Dinesh Thakur and Prashant Reddy on India’s regulatory shortcomings).
This interview reminds me of a famous quote by a famous Bengali Physicist – Dr. Meghnad Saha . He mentioned sarcastically dealing with pseudoscience ” Shob BYAAD-a aache” – translating – ” Yes, I know , everything is in Vedas”
Regarding the interview ,what can I say ? It seems we are staring at a hopeless situation , a vicious cycle in India with this kind “brainwashed” people and it is done purposefully. The elite and rich will export their kids out of the country to modern western countries but people from middle class, lower middle class and poor will suffer and die.
I sincerely wish if this interview can be translated in all Indian vernacular languages and shown in very district town of India, at least , if not in all the villages. This interview needs much bigger audience.
Lastly, I am an Indian living in US. I have a PhD degree from US too ,but in Engineering . I really don’t understand why Indian PhDs loves to address themselves as doctor. Here in US, only in academia we use that salutation, that too mostly by students.
Thank you.
There is another interview in Hindi on Newslaundry. FYI
Hello, Mr. Thakur,
In your research, have you looked at pricing by pharma and approval of drugs by the CDSCO? I have just found that a drug made by a leading pharma is being sold at two different prices, 12,500 and 20,000, under two different brand names. The composition of the two, as per the packaging, is identical.
Pricing is a complex issue. Please look at Dr Ajay Bhaskarbhatla’s work from Erasmus Univerity, Rotterdam about drug pricing in India
Sir to stop Dr and Pharma companies Nexus GOI has plan to bring a code called UCPMP. You may be surprised how our Drs are circumventing it in a total legal manner.
They are taking the advantage of loose 3rd party manufacturing laws and have started launching their own small scale Pharma company. Many eye hospital chains are getting their own brands manufactured and selling at Rs 10/- product at Rs 500/-
So getting huge monetary benefits out of their prescriptions.
This is a clear case of conflict of interest but not illegal.