Big Pharma’s Most Profitable Side Effects

Top 20 Most Profitable Side Effects & Chronic Conditions in the Healthcare Industry

Jan 03, 2025

Example - Cataract Surgery & Permanent Dry Eye

While many doctors are skilled professionals, the influence of big pharma often shapes medical practices, pushing a model that profits from sickness rather than healing. This system extends far beyond cataract surgery; consider the handling of the pandemic, vaccines linked to lifelong autoimmune diseases, mercury fillings in dentistry, or the over-prescription of opioids, all under the guidance of organizations like the WHO, FDA, and CDC, which have been compromised by corporate interests.

My Experience and Insights

At 56, I was considered young for cataract surgery. In good health, medication-free, and a fast healer, I questioned the need for a long list of post-op eye drops prescribed to me, especially when they came with warnings about potential long-term issues like permanent dry eye syndrome. I soon realized that chronic dry eye is a common, profitable side effect of cataract surgery, creating a multi-billion-dollar market for Big Pharma.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a condition where the eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in symptoms such as: Stinging or burning sensation, redness, sensitivity to light, feeling like there’s something in the eye, blurred vision

The Problem with Post-Op Eye Drops

The eye drops I was prescribed included Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a preservative known to cause a range of issues, including:

Ocular surface toxicity: BAK can damage cells on the surface of the eye (corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells), compromising the ocular surface and leading to conditions like dry eye syndrome.
Dry Eye Syndrome: BAK disrupts the lipid layer of the tear film, increasing evaporation and exacerbating symptoms of dryness.
Allergic reactions: Some people experience redness, itching, and swelling from BAK.
Inflammation: BAK-induced inflammation can worsen discomfort and cause long-term damage to eye tissues.
Corneal toxicity: Prolonged exposure can result in severe damage to the cornea, leading to vision problems and requiring additional treatments.
Even though my pharmacist assured me the eye drops contained no preservatives, I later discovered that BAK was in fact included. After some research, I found preservative-free alternatives that could have prevented these risks.

What’s in These Eye Drops?

Vigamox (Moxifloxacin): This antibiotic was prescribed to prevent infection post-surgery, but it contains BAK. Risks include corneal epithelial defects and delayed healing.
Nevanac (Nepafenac): A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory with BAK, which can cause keratitis and corneal erosion. Topical NSAIDs can result in sight-threatening issues like corneal perforation.
Pred Fort (Prednisolone): A steroid used to manage inflammation, which can increase intraocular pressure, lead to glaucoma, and promote posterior subcapsular cataracts.

In total, I was prescribed four BAK-containing eye drops to be used multiple times a day for a month, far more and far longer than censored studies recommend for BAK exposure. Studies and reviews:

Source: Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Title: “Short-Term Versus Long-Term Use of Topical Anti-Inflammatory Medications Following Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
Date: June 2015
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of short-term (7 days) versus long-term (21 days) use of anti-inflammatory medications post-cataract surgery.
Conclusion: Short-term use (7 days) was as effective as long-term use (21 days) for controlling inflammation and preventing complications. Prolonged use did not offer additional benefits and was associated with more side effects.
URL: https://www.jcrsjournal.org/article/S0886-3350(15)00328-3/fulltext

Source: Ophthalmology Clinics of North America
Title: “Postoperative Care Following Cataract Surgery: Efficacy of Standard and Prolonged Anti-Inflammatory Therapy”
Date: December 2016
Summary: This review assessed the effectiveness of standard versus prolonged anti-inflammatory therapy in postoperative care following cataract surgery.
Conclusion: Standard protocols of 2-4 weeks of therapy were generally adequate. Shorter durations were often sufficient if there were no symptoms, while prolonged use did not show additional benefits and could lead to side effects.
URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1559403916300500

Source: Eye & Contact Lens
Title: “Evaluation of Inflammation Control and Recovery Time After Cataract Surgery With Short-Term vs. Prolonged Anti-Inflammatory Therapy”
Date: April 2018
Summary: This study evaluated short-term versus prolonged anti-inflammatory therapy and its impact on inflammation control and recovery time post-cataract surgery.
Conclusion: Short-term therapy (up to 10 days) effectively managed inflammation and supported recovery. Prolonged therapy did not provide additional benefits and was linked to more side effects.
URL: https://journals.lww.com/eyedata/Abstract/2018/04000/Evaluation_of_Inflammation_Control_and_Recovery.5.aspx

Source: Cornea
Title: “Impact of Prolonged Use of Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops on Dry Eye Symptoms in Post-Cataract Surgery Patients”
Date: September 2017
Summary: This study investigated the effects of prolonged use of anti-inflammatory eye drops on the development of dry eye symptoms following cataract surgery.
Conclusion: Prolonged use of eye drops, particularly those with preservatives, increased the risk of dry eye symptoms. Shorter durations of treatment were often sufficient and had fewer side effects.
URL: https://journals.lww.com/corneajrnl/Fulltext/2017/09000/Impact_of_Prolonged_Use_of_Anti_Inflammatory_Eye.8.aspx

Profitable Side Effects & Chronic Conditions in the Healthcare Industry

Cataract surgery and related treatments are just a small piece of the multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical pie. Here's a list of chronic conditions and treatments that are financially lucrative for Big Pharma:

Chronic Pain (Opioids, NSAIDs, Anti-Inflammatories)
Diabetes (Insulin, Oral Medications, Monitoring Devices)
Heart Disease (Statins, Blood Thinners, Heart Failure Medications)
Cancer (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapies, Targeted Therapies)
Mental Health (Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics)
Autoimmune Diseases (Immunosuppressants, Biologics)
Chronic Respiratory Conditions (Inhalers, Steroids, Biologics)
Osteoporosis (Bone Strengthening Medications)
Chronic Migraines (Anti-Migraine Drugs, Botox)
Chronic Dry Eye (Lubricants, Steroids, Anti-inflammatory Drugs)
High Blood Pressure (Antihypertensives, Diuretics)
Obesity (Weight Loss Drugs, Surgery, Appetite Suppressants)
HIV/AIDS (Antiretrovirals, Combination Therapy)
Arthritis (NSAIDs, DMARDs, Biologics)
Epilepsy (Anti-seizure Medications, Neuromodulators)
Asthma (Steroids, Inhalers, Biologics)
Alzheimer’s Disease (Cognitive Enhancers, Anti-dementia Drugs)
Parkinson’s Disease (Dopamine Agonists, Levodopa)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Antidepressants, Anti-inflammatory Drugs)
Psoriasis (Topicals, Biologics, Immunosuppressants)

The Economic Impact of Cataract Surgery

The financial impact of cataract surgery is staggering, with billions generated annually from various sources:

Pre-operative Care: Includes consultations, diagnostic tests, and medications like pre-operative antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, contributing hundreds to thousands of dollars per patient.

Surgical Equipment & Technology: The global market for ophthalmic surgical devices, including phacoemulsification machines and intraocular lenses (IOLs), is worth billions annually.

Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): The IOL market alone generates several billion dollars globally, depending on lens type (monofocal, multifocal, toric).

Post-operative Care: Medications for post-surgery care add additional revenue, ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars per patient.

Complications & Long-term Management: Managing complications like infection, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), or conditions like glaucoma generates more revenue through continued treatment or additional surgeries.

Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and ophthalmologists all earn substantial fees from cataract surgery, including facility and professional charges.

Conclusion

Cataract surgery, despite improving quality of life, represents a major financial opportunity for the healthcare industry. Unfortunately, the system is not simply broken but hijacked by profit-driven motives, which affect not only surgery outcomes but the broader management of chronic conditions. Be aware of treatments and side effects, and explore alternatives when possible.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This information is for general purposes only. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice.