Hi, Can someone help me to convert this draft into a speech, please? The speech is on the pharmaceutical industry and what happened at Purdue Pharma.

The purpose of my speech is to show the pros and cons of the pharma industry and the lack of transparency to the public, the large profit margin etc; I am not against nor am I for the pharma industry; I just think that they are not as truthful as they claim to be.

The pharmaceutical industrys primary purpose is to engage in the process of discovering, developing, producing, and marketing drugs. These drugs are intended to be used as medications for patients, to cure and prevent diseases or to alleviate symptoms associated with various health conditions. To understand the pharmaceutical industry, it is essential to delve into the history and origins of medicine. The earliest documented instances of medicine involve preparations made from plants, animals, and minerals, as practiced by ancient Chinese, Hindu, and Mediterranean civilizations. Remarkably, many of the medicinal plants utilized by our ancestors are still employed today, although they have likely undergone significant modifications. In our upcoming segment, we will explore this topic further and discuss the potential implications. One example of a natural item still used today is castor oil, which is particularly effective for individuals experiencing constipation. Speaking from personal experience, I can attest to the effectiveness of castor oil, as I cultivate castor oil plants in my backyard and produce the oil myself, following the teachings of my grandmother. Furthermore, various other plants continue to be utilized in modern pharmaceuticals. For instance, plants containing compounds similar to digitalis have been historically employed to treat a range of ailments. Ma huang, a plant containing ephedrine, is also used for various purposes. In contemporary pharmaceuticals, ephedrine is commonly used to alleviate cold and allergy symptoms. While plants continue to be used in numerous pharmaceutical drugs today, there is a prevailing sentiment that the pharmaceutical industry lacks complete transparency. It is essential to clarify that expressing this concern does not imply subscribing to conspiracy theories. Instead, it reflects a genuine intention to seek accurate and factual information. Additionally, the addictive nature of certain drugs developed by the pharmaceutical industry is a significant and legitimate concern that many share. I want to emphasize that I am not suggesting the pharmaceutical industry intentionally engages in such practice purposely but however there is a growing perception that the industrys focus has shifted towards profit rather than prioritizing the well being and recovery of individuals. This observation raises concerns about the overall direction and values of the industry. An example of this was the drug oxycontin produced by Purdue pharma in the 90s. Several studies listed in the national library of medicine have pointed to Purdues aggressive marketing of OxyContin as a significant contributor to the opioid epidemic. The marketing took various forms, including calling and visiting doctors; paying them for meals and travel; providing gifts;and funding paint treatment groups that urged liberalization of opioid prescribing. Purdue targeted states with low prescription rates, which to me indicated that they knew what they were doing and who they were targeting. Over 1996-2017, opioid overdose deaths would have been 44 percent lower in states had they used triplicate programs, the study estimated. And 65 percent of the growth in overdose death rates between 1996 and 2017 could be attributed to the introduction and marketing of OxyContin. In 2010, Purdue discontinued the original formulation of OxyContin and released one that reduced abused of the drug, potentially slowing the growth in opioid addiction. When crushed, the new formulation would not turn into a powder, so it could not as easily be snorted or injected. This did not avoid all harms, however. As studies show, many misusers of OxyContin turned to heroin which brought a new set of risks. This oxycontin drug is just one of the many drugs that have caused more harm than good, although I do know that there are drugs that have done a lot of good, we as a people have to do more research and be more vigilant on what is prescribed to us. Many times we put all out trust in our doctors and these big pharmaceutical industries but we need to also conduct out own research to better understand what is going on and see the bigger picture. Purdue amongst other companies played with the emotions and pain of their customers and clients. They misrepresented the risk of addiction. I continue to believe that we have been given the fruits of the land, by this I mean the plants, minerals etc; I spoke about earlier, but we have become so lazy and accustomed to just getting drugs prescribed that we do not see what we have. Shifts in our diet play a major role on our health but we also fail to see that. I speak from experience. Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act and implementing regulations, the FDA regulates the advertising and promotion of prescription drugs and is responsible for ensuring that prescription drug advertising and promotion are truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated. In 2002, for example, 39 FDA staff members were responsible for reviewing roughly 34 000 pieces of promotional materials.19 This limited staffing significantly diminishes the FDA's ability to ensure that the promotion is truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated. In 1998, Purdue distributed 15 000 copies of an OxyContin video to physicians without submitting it to the FDA for review, an oversight later acknowledged by Purdue. In 2001, Purdue submitted to the FDA a second version of the video, which the FDA did not review until October 2002after the General Accounting Office inquired about its content. After its review, the FDA concluded that the video minimized the risks from OxyContin and made unsubstantiated claims regarding its benefits to patients.19 When OxyContin entered the market in 1996, the FDA approved its original label, which stated that iatrogenic addiction was very rare if opioids were legitimately used in the management of pain. In July 2001, to reflect the available scientific evidence, the label was modified to state that data were not available for establishing the true incidence of addiction in chronic-pain patients. The 2001 labeling also deleted the original statement that the delayed absorption of OxyContin was believed to reduce the abuse liability of the drug.19 A more thorough review of the available scientific evidence prior to the original labeling might have prevented some of the need for the 2001 label revision. Compared with noncontrolled drugs, controlled drugs, with their potential for abuse and diversion, pose different public health risks when overpromoted and highly prescribed. Several marketing practices appear to be especially questionable. Marketing and promotion by the pharmaceutical industry have considerably amplified the prescription sales and availability of opioids. A number of factors have contributed to the marked growth of opioid abuse in the United States, but one factor is certainly the much increased availability of prescription opioids.78 The public interest and public health would be better served by a redefinition of acceptable and allowable marketing practices for opioids and other controlled drugs. There are many aspects that also contribute to the profit margin of the pharmaceutical industry and those are ; 1. **Increased Demand for Healthcare:** As the global population grows and ages, there is an increasing demand for healthcare services and medications. This growing patient population contributes to higher sales of pharmaceutical products. 2. **Advancements in Medical Science:** Ongoing advancements in medical science and technology have led to the discovery of new drugs and treatments. These innovations can address previously unmet medical needs and create opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to develop and market new products. 3. **Chronic Disease Epidemics:** The prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer is on the rise worldwide. These conditions often require long-term medication, leading to a consistent demand for pharmaceutical products. 4. **Biotechnology and Personalized Medicine:** Advances in biotechnology have enabled the development of more targeted and effective therapies, including biologics and personalized medicine. These treatments tend to have higher price points, contributing to increased profits. 5. **Strong Intellectual Property Protection:** The pharmaceutical industry benefits from strong patent protection, which grants companies exclusive rights to market and sell their drugs for a certain period. This protection allows companies to recoup their research and development costs and generate significant profits during the patent's duration. 6. **Global Expansion:** Many pharmaceutical companies operate on a global scale, expanding their reach to emerging markets where healthcare needs are growing. This geographical diversification helps them tap into new markets and increase sales. 7. **Mergers and Acquisitions:** Consolidation within the pharmaceutical industry through mergers and acquisitions can lead to increased market share and cost savings, boosting profitability. 8. **Market Access and Pricing Strategies:** Effective market access and pricing strategies, particularly in high-income countries, can lead to higher profit margins. Pharmaceutical companies often engage in negotiations with healthcare systems and insurers to secure favorable terms for their products. 9. Orphan Drugs and Specialty Medications:The development of orphan drugs (medications for rare diseases) and specialty medications (high-cost drugs for specific conditions) can yield substantial profits due to limited competition and higher pricing. 10. R&D Investments:While research and development (R&D) can be costly, it is a crucial driver of future profitability. Investing in the development of new drugs and treatments is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and bringing innovative products to market. 11. Regulatory Approvals:Successfully navigating the regulatory process and obtaining approvals for new drugs is a significant factor in pharmaceutical profitability. It allows companies to commercialize their products and generate revenue. 12. Marketing and Promotion:Effective marketing and promotion strategies can drive demand for pharmaceutical products. While marketing expenses are substantial, they can lead to higher sales and profits. Althiugh these were reasons I obtained on the Web, I truly believe that there are other reasons for the large profit margin that they will never disclose to us.