The Clinical Trial

Have you attended the clinical trial?
It is Big Drug and Pharmaceutical’s prodigal child.
Every person who signs-on for a free test is beguiled.
One day you’ll be sorry, their number you dialed.

Father medicine has joined in the fray and sacrifices
Those who lend their names to the clinical trial.
Of the side effects, they say nothing:
They won’t even show you your file.
After all, you signed on the dotted line.

In their hearts they know the outcome of the trial,
Because only they know the contents of the vial.

The side effects hurt you,
And you can’t even walk a quarter of a mile.
All because of a wrong number that you did dial.
But you cannot sue them or take them to trial
Because you signed on the dotted line.

Grandma’s remedies tasted like Buckley’s or bile,
But you know they worked even though you did not smile.
I know you’re sorry you joined up for a clinical trial –
You became their sacrificial lamb by signing on the dotted line.

Many are called and many are chosen to boost their bottom line.
Happy are the accountants and salesmen,
Whose bonuses are on track and on-line

If you’ve seen Harrison Ford’s movie, the Fugitive,
He accused his detractors for changing the samples
And putting his life on the line.
It doesn’t just happen in the movies, but also in real-life.
So beware before you sign again on the dotted line.

© 2002 Mahomed Ally Keshavjee, All Rights Reserved. Written Dec 5, 2002. Essay#