While not strictly lc, I think still has relevance for us.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentis...al-ghostwriters

Lee

As a writer, I'm scratching my head as to why these investigative reporters didn't know this before. It's the Guardian. They know how the writing system works. Sounds more like a case of, "Well, shucks, cat's outta the bag. Let's at least try to sound appalled."

Pick up a textbook, any textbook, and the vast majority of the words weren't written by the person whose name is on the cover. There's a huge market for medical ghostwriting in particular, and you don't really even need qualifications to do it. Most of the jobs I see for it just require a bachelors (any kind will do) or a few years in the medical industry (including being a receptionist). Anyone looking for some extra cash? :P

Yeah, I have a friend who makes a living as a medical ghostwriter, as well as teaching a law school class on "writing skills for lawyers". (she is a lawyer herself). But she makes a pretty decent living at it and gets to go to medical conferences and things which allows her a bit of travel which she can write off as business expenses.

But she is an independent freelancer, with no connection to Big Pharma in any way.