Seven years ago, a medical scandal erupted in the international media whose reservations still echo. It was the story of Dr Nancy Olivieri, a charismatic doctor at a Toronto hospital for sick children, working with young people suffering from the blood disorder thalassaemia. While conducting a trial on behalf of Canada’s largest drug company Apotex, Olivieri had discovered serious problems with an experimental drug called L1.

Although her research contract prohibited her from sharing this secret, Olivieri decided to warn the patients undergoing the trial. As a retaliatory action the company cancelled her project, issued veiled threats and did everything to spoil her reputation. However, the story was widely reported and the whistleblower was hailed as a hero.

Miriam Schuman, the medical ethicist who broke the story, retells it once again in this book. However, there is a twist: no one comes out as a hero. It stands out as a tale of colossal egos, rivalries and revenge, and reveals the innards of corporate bickering. The victim of the struggle is none other than innocent patients.

Interesting, and educative.