Big Pharma Explained: Why Are Meds So Expensive? [& The Solution]

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In this episode, we dissect the harmful reality of America's ballooning drug prices—especially the life-and-death issue of insulin affordability—and share new legislation out of California. This is Big Pharma, explained. 

Today's three integral guests (listed below) join the Laura Flanders Show to discuss the pharmaceutical industry and how to end Big Pharma companies' monopoly. 

The current model of the pharmaceutical industry, in which profit-driven Big Pharma companies decide who manufactures treatments, where, & at what cost, is a threat to public health. 

Public pharmaceutical manufacturing could limit the enormous power of these Big Pharma companies and potentially spark a public health revolution. 

New legislation in California is a shift in the usual dealings of Big Pharma business. This state's groundbreaking move to produce insulin will eradicate the astronomical profit margins that private companies currently enjoy. This change has the potential to bring about significant economic and social benefits, enabling a larger demographic to engage in the workforce and community. And as you'll hear in the conversation, this discussion is not limited to the Democratic Party nor Republican Party — it's bipartisan. 

Access and equity in healthcare starts with systemic changes in pharmaceutical production and distribution. Here's what's happening in the US & globally.

“This has economic & social benefits for all of us...Having the public sector take a bigger role in the production of distribution of medicine historically starts to shift the balance of power.” -Dana Brown 

“Our current model for vaccine research development & distribution globally is colonial in many ways, because big pharmaceutical companies have the ability to decide who gets vaccines, treatments, insulin & other pharmaceutical products, & when & at which prices.” -Luis Gil Abinader 

“10% of the population has a chronic illness, & [pharmaceutical companies] are exploiting & extorting our need for this drug. It's coming to an end because people like me & rising up & talking about it & sharing our stories.” -Kevin Wren 

GUESTS: 

•  Dana Brown: Director, Health & Economy, The Democracy Collaborative 

•  Luis Gil Abinader: Legal Scholar; Fellow, Georgetown University Law O'Neill Institute; Board Member, Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) 

•  Kevin Wren: Queer Activist & Patient Advocate Chapter Leader, California #insulin4all; T1International; Queer Activist & Patient Advocate, MA Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington

Music In the Middle:   “Class War” by Grammy Award winners Zion Train from their latest album Dissident Sound released on Universal Egg.

Full Show Notes are located HERE.  They include related episodes, articles, and more to dive deeper.

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