Prescription For Change Blog: PhRMA vs. Michael Moore

PhRMA vs. Michael Moore Posted by Liz at 05/18/07 04:18 PM

You may remember Michael Moore from such films as "Roger and Me" and "Fahrenheit 9/11." And everyone has heard about his infamous speech that he gave at the Oscars, blasting the war and the Bush presidency.

Well Moore is back with his latest project, "SiCKO" an expose on the health care industry.

Filmmaker Michael Moore says on his Web site that his new documentary, "SiCKO," "will expose the health-care industry's greed and control over America's political processes."
Movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who has worked on Mr. Moore's previous movies and whose company is financing, marketing and co-distributing this one, predicts his new release "will ignite the country once and for all to deal with health care." Unlike "Fahrenheit 9/11," he says the movie will appeal to both ends of the political spectrum, though it may be difficult for Mr. Moore to win backing from conservatives he has previously lambasted.

And I think I know another group that he may have trouble winning backing from...I doubt they'll give this movie two thumbs up.

The movie that drugmakers have dreaded is just three days from being previewed and, like it or not, Michael Moore will force big pharma to confront its public image, at least for a little while.

Ken Johnson, senior vice president for PhRMA has said of the movie, "No one should be surprised that Michael Moore is making baseless accusations designed to drum up publicity for his movie." He added that Mr. Moore's movie was not on their "top ten list of concerns."

Not a top concern? Well, maybe their 22nd top concern..

The trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), has already prepared a press release that it is sending out when asked for comment on the movie, even though no one at PhRMA has seen it yet. In the press release, the group says Mr. Moore has a track record for sensationalism and will not make a documentary that is "balanced, thoughtful and well-researched."

As with his other movies, it seems the more defensive industries or government officials get that he's targeting, the more it backfires on them. It'll be interesting to watch how this fight will play out. Popcorn anyone?

comments (0)

Comments