In this episode, I reflect on a difficult but necessary question: Why do we place all the blame for healthcare failures on “Big Pharma,” while often overlooking the responsibility of physicians?

After 56 years in medicine, I have witnessed extraordinary scientific progress — much of it made possible through collaboration between clinicians and industry. From life-saving drugs to advanced diagnostic tools, innovation would not move from bench to bedside without corporate infrastructure and support. Industry plays a vital role in modern healthcare.

But the obligations of industry and the obligations of physicians are not the same.

Pharmaceutical and device manufacturers are accountable to their companies and shareholders. Physicians, however, are accountable to their patients. This difference is fundamental. I ...