False Claims
One Insider's Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption
by Lisa Pratta
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Jun 03 2025 | Archive Date Jul 29 2025
Talking about this book? Use #FalseClaims #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
For the first time, Lisa Pratta shares her story of going undercover as a whistleblower at a Big Pharma company and standing up to systemic corruption, greed, and harassment—all while caring for her special needs son as a single mother.
When Lisa Pratta started her career as a pharmaceutical sales representative, she had no idea of the industry’s depravity, and the endemic sexual harassment, bribery, and fraud she witnessed only got worse over time.
Lisa hoped that might all change when she landed her dream job with a small company called Questcor which sold a drug that, when prescribed correctly, could help patients with multiple sclerosis. Yet Questcor realized they could make more money prescribing the drug incorrectly. While the FDA had approved the drug for two- to three-week treatments, Questcor was training, encouraging, and incentivizing its sales force to push a five-day treatment plan not backed by any science—and arbitrarily increased the drug’s price to $28,000 for a single vial.
Pratta recognized this as being not only dangerous for patients, but also highly illegal. As the single mother of a special-needs son, Lisa couldn’t risk losing her job—but her moral compass also wouldn’t allow her to stay silent.
Thus began her double life as a whistleblower. For nearly a decade she clandestinely fed information to the Department of Justice. Resisting internal pressure to succumb to Questcor’s illegal sales tactics, she was constantly harassed by supervisors and in danger of being fired, while the government offered her no protection in the event her betrayal was discovered.
This incredible story offers an insider’s look at the unscrupulous sales methods used by America’s corrupt pharmaceutical industry, analyzes the levers they pull to extract ludicrous profits from the sick and dying, and is a page-turning portrait of one woman’s epic fight against Big Pharma and a mother’s heroic struggle to protect her family.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780063371101 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Ella D, Reviewer
WOW! 🌟 I just finished this super intense read, and it totally blew my mind! Can you imagine going undercover in a world filled with corruption and greed?
This amazing woman dives into the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry, and it’s, like, totally shocking! She juggles life as a single mom while uncovering some seriously shady stuff behind the scenes. Talk about being a total badass! 💪
Her journey as a whistleblower is gripping and relatable, and I was, like, flipping through the pages to see what happens next! If you’re looking for a mix of drama, courage, and a fight for justice, you need to check this out!
A huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! 💖📚
Reviewer 1564168
tw - author discusses being abused as a child (not in depth, but it's there)
I absolutely loved this book! False Claims tells Lisa Pratta's story of working in the pharmaceutical industry and uncovering shocking levels of corruption. While trying to balance her job and responsibilities as a single mom, she’s faced with the difficult decision of staying quiet or doing the right thing by blowing the whistle on illegal sales practices. The book is not just about corporate greed, but also about Lisa's incredible courage.
I really connected with her struggle—wanting to do the right thing but being terrified of losing her job. That internal conflict is something I totally understand. Lisa’s bravery and moral strength are so inspiring, and I admire her so much. I’d love to be the kind of person she is!
I couldn’t put this book down and read it all in one day because I was dying to know how it ended. It’s a true page-turner, with great writing and an engaging story. I could definitely see myself reading this again—it’s that good. If you're into stories about standing up to corruption, you need to read False Claims.
Allie R, Reviewer
False Claims by Lisa Pratta is a memoir of a brave whistleblower who worked with the Department of Justice to uncover the corruption of pharmaceutical sales by Questcor. Taking significant personal risks, she supported an investigation for many years. This book documents her incredible story.
I read this book in one sitting. The writing is clear and accessible. Although this book is nonfiction it reads like a novel. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Karina Sainz Borgo
General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction, Multicultural Interest
