Pharmaceutical Companies Conspiracy Theory

 My chosen research is into pharmaceutical companies and the conspiracy theories surrounding an already developed cure for cancer which is being deliberately not shared with the public because of greedy motivations for profit. The theory often believes that pharma companies release treatments which only fix symptoms and halfway cure cancer in order to have reoccurring customers and revenue. 

This theory evolved from distrust of “big pharma” in the mid 20th centuries as cancer treatments became more expensive and more commercialized. Misinformation online, social media posts, and personal anecdotes often fuel the fire behind this conspiracy. 

In 2005, roughly 27% of Americans were cited to believe in this theory. It tends to resonate more strongly with individuals who have distrust towards the government and corporations. 

This theory largely spread due to viral media posts. Most recently, a cancer researcher Leonardo Ferreira was claimed to have been killed in a plane crash after coming very close to a breakthrough in cancer research. Though, in fact, Ferreira was very much alive and not on a flight at all. Memes and miscellaneous YouTube videos also fuel the fire behind spreading the conspiracy theory. 

Comments

  1. williams.dan76November 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM

    Thanks, Anslee. this is one of the larger conspiracy theories, and it's definitely shared by millions. I think its actually harder to believe in the good intentions of Big Pharma than it is to believe they are deceitful and corrupt corporations scamming cancer patients and their families. In our current winning is everything society (the Wolf of Wall Street), it seems we generally believe that everyone is out to take advantage of everyone else. But I hope this is not true.

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