Today, I published a social media post sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. I realize that this upsets some people. Some people have this idea that “big pharma” is the enemy. I know that now that I am publicly working with them, I am the enemy, too. I understand this perspective. In fact, once upon a time, I swore I would never work with a pharmaceutical company. But I haven’t taken on this collaboration with a pharmaceutical company lightly. There are many legitimate reasons a patient might collaborate with a pharmaceutical company.

This Patient-Pharmaceutical Collaboration Is About World Mental Health Day

Today’s social media post is about World Mental Health Day. It includes tips like “reach out” and “start conversations.” It does not talk about an Otsuka product in any way. In fact, let me tell you a little secret: I couldn’t talk about an Otsuka product even if I wanted it. The laws around what pharmaceutical companies can and can’t say are wickedly strict and a layperson like me could never be seen as talking about their product in a sponsored way. Going through the process of getting this social media post approved by Otsuka and their lawyers has made it very clear to me that there are many hoops for them to jump through, and jump through, they do.

So, this collaboration with Otsuka isn’t an ongoing or global sponsorship but, rather, present in very specific activities only. (You’ll see anything involving Otsuka clearly marked as such.)

Why Have a Patient-Pharmaceutical Company Collaboration?

There are many reasons why a patient might want to collaborate with a pharmaceutical company. For example, pharmaceutical companies keep me alive. It’s absolutely in my best interest to ensure they continue to do so for me and others. Also, pharmaceutical companies push innovation and research forward. Patients desperately need this. It’s absolutely in our best interest to make sure it keeps happening, particularly in the area of mental illness (in our case). Also, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is going to be researching, making, and selling drugs to patients no matter what. It absolutely is in our best interest to ensure that the patient voice has a seat at the table when the company gathers the data that drives important decisions.

But finally, and this is the one I know you’ve been waiting for, pharmaceutical companies have the money. That’s it. Money. If the fuzzy teddy bear lobby had lots of money and wanted to give it to me, I would work with them, and everyone would be happy. But that’s not the way capitalism works. In this case, pharmaceutical companies have all the money. I need money. A natural relationship exists.

Believe me, it is very hard to make a living as a mental health advocate, not to mention a disabled person. It is very hard to make a living as a writer. It is very hard to make a living as a speaker. Yes, speaking, writing, editing, consulting, and other things I have done yield income. But that income is irregular and scant. But you know what isn’t irregular? Mortgage payments. The bank really doesn’t care if I’m having a bad month. They just want their money, and they certainly don’t care where it comes from.

I wish I had the luxury of a regular full-time job, but I don’t. My disability doesn’t allow for it.

I need money. Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is willing to give me some. I will take it.

The Benefits of Big Pharma-Mental Health Advocacy Collaborations

I know some people don’t want to hear this, but there are benefits to patients when mental health advocates carefully and thoughtfully collaborate with “big pharma.”

In addition to just supporting mental health advocacy and allowing people like me to continue our work, patient-pharma collaborations can also:

  • Amplify patient voices
  • Raise awareness further than when it’s done by a single person
  • Create educational materials for patients

‘But Big Pharma Is Evil’

I can understand this perspective. En masse, over time, pharmaceutical companies have done awful things. You only have to look at the Sackler family to see just how evil pharma companies can be. That said, not all companies are the same. Some companies are law-abiding and really just research and offer treatments to sick people who need them. Have a problem with the laws? I understand. But that isn’t a problem with big pharma, that’s a problem with your government.

I have thought that “big pharma” was evil many times. But when it comes down to it, I wouldn’t be alive without them, and neither would millions of other people. There might be issues with how some companies do certain things, but let’s not forget the immeasurable life-saving gifts they also contribute.

What About Otsuka Pharmaceuticals?

I can’t claim to be an expert on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. What I know about them comes from my personal interactions. And in those, I can tell you they have been incredibly respectful and receptive to the patient and advocate perspective. I consider myself lucky to get to work with them.

Anti-Patient-Pharmaceutical Collaboration — The Hate I’m About to Get

Yup, I’m expecting blowback for deciding to publically work with a pharmaceutical company. I have taken people’s temperature on this subject in the past, and people are not fans of this type of collaboration. I get it. They think I’m now going to be biased. They think they can no longer trust me. They think this is going to change my content.

I appreciate your concerns. I really do.

(But I would also appreciate it if you wouldn’t be too nasty about it. Feel free to leave your thoughts below, but if they’re abusive, they will be moderated.)

What I’m Doing to Ensure I Remain Impartial Despite Pharma Money

My relationship with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals has not and will not influence my editorial choices, period.

That being said, I understand that no matter how impartial I tell you I am, some people aren’t going to believe me. So, here’s the deal:

  • My relationship with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals is clearly spelled out in my conflicts of interest section (linked at the bottom of every page).
  • I will not talk about Otsuka products here at all. I may talk about categories in which they offer products in general, but I won’t talk about any offerings by Otsuka.
  • Any time Otsuka sponsors anything, it will be made very clear. (Believe it or not, there are very strict laws around this, and pharmaceutical companies are very careful about following them. They have a lot of lawyers. So does the government.)

Mental Health Advocacy Can Co-Exist with Pharmaceutical Companies’ Sponsorship

Look, I’m not the first mental health advocate who has worked with a pharmaceutical company. In fact, major mental health organizations that are dedicated to helping patients, like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA), both take pharmaceutical money — lots of it — as do pretty much all the rest of them. I understand that in a perfect world that might not be the case, but this work just isn’t perfect.

If You’re Still Concerned About This Patient-Pharmaceutical Company Relationship

If you still have concerns, I understand. Please leave a comment below or contact me directly, and I’ll do my best to address them.

Photo by jarmoluk from Freerange Stock.