Hello, this is Frank.
Today, I want to talk about a word that came up in a conversation with one of my English students—“sorivudine.”
When I looked into it, I discovered that sorivudine is an antiviral drug that was marketed in Japan under the name “Usevir” in September 1993. It was developed by Nippon Shoji (now Alfresa) and promoted in partnership with the pharmaceutical company Eisai.
Shockingly, within just one year of its release, the drug was linked to the deaths of 15 people. The case came to be known as the Sorivudine Drug Scandal. Although the product was voluntarily withdrawn from the market, investigations revealed insider trading behind the scenes—individuals prioritized personal profit over public safety, even as people were dying.
The company halted sales on ethical grounds, but the incident served as a sobering reminder of just how dangerous medication can be.
Drugs are designed to save lives—yet in some cases, they can be a double-edged sword.
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■ Frank Yoshida is an award-winning author who made his professional debut in January 2009 after winning the Grand Prize in the “Gateway to Success for New Writers 2008” Contest, sponsored by Goodbook Shuppan, Japan. His acclaimed short love story, Hanarerarenaku-nacchau (“What Would I Do Without You?”), marked the beginning of his published literary journey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kobe University of Commerce. ■ Frank brings a wealth of international business experience to the table. With a strong background in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), he served as a technical adviser in key innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Hsinchu (Taiwan), and San Jose (California). His global career includes negotiating international investment disputes in the United States, advising in the leather industry, and managing timber import strategies. As a seasoned international business consultant and flexpatriate, he has worked extensively across North America, Latin America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa for leading trading companies and multinational clients. ■ A certified English expert, Frank holds ten prestigious English qualifications: UNATE (United Nations Association Test of English) SA Class, BEST (Business English Standard Test) A-Grade, Volunteer Interpreter Test (V-Tsuken) A-Grade, TOPEC (Nursing English) Perfect Score, Nissho Business English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Tourism English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Zensho English Proficiency Test Grade 1, English Vocabulary Test (TANKEN) Grade 1, EIKEN® Grade 1, and Japan's National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification. ■ Frank is also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast. He finds his ultimate freedom cruising along scenic coastlines aboard his beloved Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R mega tourer. He describes the liberating experience in two words: “Stay aloof.”
Frank
