A Slick Turn of Phrase Keeps the Lawsuits Away

Mastering the use of euphemisms is a subtle art, especially in the business world. Fortunately, there's a class available for the country's pharmaceutical companies that will help them learn how to build a better euphemism and keep nosey regulators from snooping around.A former prosecutor who did litigation for the FDA is offering pharma companies a course in ways to express negative ideas in a more neutral manner so they can avoid raising red flags and giving help to the other side in lawsuits. She says the course is a way for companies to survive in a litigious society. Granted, I think the article was a bit tinged by the writer's own bias. The "instructor's" argument could have merit, but still. At least don't shamelessly publicize it!

I know it isn't tied to banking, but when I read this piece, I was kind of stunned. What if a course like this were offered to financial institutions? One could imagine the outrage of the public and Congress. But apparently it's OK for the pharmaceutical industry-those entrusted with our health-to be schooled in such practices. I guess it's just in how you word it.