The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "products" ...
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"Physicians on Pharma's Payroll: Educators or Marketers?"
This story focuses on doctors as industry speakers and their relationship with pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical companies claim to choose speakers based on expertise, but further investigation shows that many of the hired physicians have "serious transgressions on their state records." They also tend to be "high prescribers" of the company's products.
Tags: pharmacy; prescriptions; Geodon; Pfizer; antipsychotic drugs; pharmaceutical companies; Department of Health; New York; Food and Drug Administration
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Crime Inc: Counterfeit Goods
The story gives viewers a rare look at the production and sale of counterfeit goods. Viewers hear the story of a company whose brand was copied as well as that of a defense contractor who made counterfeit defense parts used in Iraq.
Tags: counterfeit; raid; fake handbag; fake shoes; fake jewelry; designer; underground industry
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Kids and Cadmium: Dangers Exposed
After U.S. lawmakers barred toy manufacturers from using lead in their products, they began replacing that ingredient with cadmium. Products containing the equally as dangerous ingredient were on the shelves of many national chain stories, including Wal-mart. The reporter shows evidence that Wal-Mart knew some of its products were contaminated and had no plans to stop selling them.
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Side Effects
The author examines the conflicts of interest within the medical community and the influence of pharmaceutical companies on doctors and researchers. The series shows the dangerous consequences that come when drug companies pay doctors and researchers to endorse their products. An inquiry by a U.S. Senate committee, as well as policy reform at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health were results of this investigation.
Tags: pharmaceutical companies; drug companies; medicine; conflict of interest; doctors
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"Mercury taints skin lighteners"
The Tribune decided to investigate a tip found in a New York Times story that suggested mercury might be present in certain beauty products. The Tribune tested 50 different skin-lightening creams purchased from various locations around Chicago and found that six contained enough mercury to be banned by federal law. When used over time, mercury can be cause health problems, including kidney damage.
Tags: mercury; skin-lightening cream; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; FDA; FOIA; Mercury Policy Project; EcoWaste Coalition
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Do It Yourself Plastic Surgery
Prescription strength chemicals and other procedures should not be done at home without a doctor. A number of websites are selling such products at a discount rate and many people are buying them and facing devastating consequences. These products are unapproved and experts say using these can result in “blindness, paralysis, or death”.
Tags: Botox; syringes; prescriptions; drugs; money; medications; medicine; Federal Drug Administration (FDA); skin
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Amazing Profits?
Many Americans are struggling to find and keep jobs in this economic recession, so when they have a chance to earn money; it is something they will jump on. An infomercial, which claims it is possible for ordinary people to make huge profits from buying tax foreclosed homes, has caught the attention of many desperate people. These people do not need real estate experience or a large amount of capital to beginning this program. But it is discovered this program is deceptive and has sold “15 thousand” DVDs and brochures a week, which explains the program.
Tags: scams; FOIA; John Beck; Free and Clear Real Estate System; customers; Family Products; telemarketer; television; taxes
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"Crib Recall"
A child is supposed to be safe in his or her own crib; however, cribs with drop down sides proved to be dangerous, even life-threatening to children. In 2009, CBS correspondent Susan Koeppen revealed the nation's largest crib recall ever recorded. It involved two million cribs. In the past two years, the "government has recalled nearly 5 million cribs."
Tags: Consumer Product Safety Commission; Stork Craft; drop down side crib
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Recycled Radiation
Radioactive materials are being found in common consumer items because radioactive devices used in manufacturing and medicine are often mixing with scrap metal for use in large varieties of other products. "Recycled Radiation" outlines the findings from the Nuclear Material Events Database.
Tags: radioactive; material; products; consumers; scrap; metal; recycled; exposure; manufacturing; medicine; Mexico; transport; oversight; disposal; waste;
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Warhol Inc., The Brillo-Box Scandal
Even though he died more than two decades ago, Andy Warhol’s images are still in high demand. The prices for his paintings rank among some of the highest and his fame shows no signs of diminishing. Furthermore, the amount of products with his imagery continues to expand and his brand is becoming one of the most powerful in the world. The second part of this story, describes the Brillo box scandal. This scandal deals with Warhol’s Brillo boxes design being reproduced and sold as originals.
Tags: Andy Warhol; Brillo boxes; Brand; artist; Collectors; Work; Art; Paintings