"Pharmaceutical money: Ask your doctor if his taking it is right for you."

Courtesy of Alternet

VIDEO: John Oliver Eviscerates the Stunningly Corrupt Practices of Big Pharma

John Oliver dug deep into the corrupt practices of the pharmaceutical industry in a 17-minute rant Sunday that will be one for the ages.

It's a must-watch video tha lays bare just how deeply invested Big Pharma is in getting doctors to prescribe their drugs to millions of people, no matter what. In fact, Oliver explains, Big Pharma spends much more on marketing to doctors than it does on research, or to marketing to us in television advertising. Why? Because we tend to trust our doctors. And if they say take this pill, we will.

Amidst the really alarming facts in Oliver's careful dissection of the issue are some pretty hilarious lines. At one point the HBO comedian compares drug compaines to high school boyfriends: "They're much more interested in getting inside you than in being effective once they are there."

There have been tiny glimmers of reform in Big Pharma's dishonest practices: Pharmaceutical reps are not allowed to take doctors out for lavish meals all the time, now. And the Affordable Care Act has helped set up a website which enables you to look up whose money your doctor is taking.

Watch: