This recap contains unmarked SPOILERS per policy. You Have Been Warned
Two college students commit suicide after taking part in clinical trials for an experimental antidepressant. The lead researcher is found to have covered up reports of side-effects among the test subjects. Southerlyn learns that Barden Pharmaceuticals, the company funding the study, may have suppressed data from other trials which showed the drug to be harmful. But the CEO, Dr. Cedars, refuses to disclose that information. When it's discovered that multiple trials abroad showed that the drug causes patients to become suicidal, Barden Pharmaceuticals is charged with the murders of the students. Barden tries to get its clinical studies suppressed on the grounds of protecting trade secrets, but the judge overrules this.McCoy calls several convincing witnesses, including another student who attempted suicide after participating in the drug trial. But the jury is swayed by an expert testimony in favor of Barden. Barden's lawyers also get a key piece of evidence suppressed that proves Cedars wanted the trials to continue so he could get an extension on his patent for the drug. With no guarantee as to how a jury would rule, Branch tells McCoy to cut a deal with Cedars. Not wanting to risk a lengthy prison sentence, Cedars reluctantly agrees to make all of his clinical studies accessible through a medical database in exchange for dropping the murder charges. But Barden still faces a class action civil suit that could bankrupt them, and Branch reflects that letting them go out of business may not be the right thing to do.
This episode contains examples of:
- Double-Meaning Title: Refers both to the victims (who jumped to their deaths from windows) and the question of whether the prosecution of Barden is unnecessarily harsh.
- Driven to Suicide: Several people who took part in the clinical trials.
- Evil, Inc.: Barden Pharmaceuticals
- My God, What Have I Done?: McCoy's witness describes feeling like this after she attempted suicide whilst taking the drug.
- The Needs of the Many: A key facet of the case is the question of whether the risks of medical trials outweigh the potential for saving lives.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Cedars gives one, claiming that McCoy is simply trying to ruin his business and doesn't care that drug companies' profits go to fund life-saving treatments.
