What Next | Daily News and Analysis What Would You Pay to Stay Alive?
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May 27, 2025 
David Armstrong, an investigative reporter at ProPublica and author of "The Price of Remission," dives into the staggering costs of life-saving medications like Revlimid. He highlights the shocking disparity between the mere 25-cent production cost and the thousand-dollar price tag, raising ethical concerns about drug pricing. Armstrong also shares the emotional toll on patients and the quest for reforms, as well as the complex history of Revlimid's development. His insights illuminate the ongoing struggles within America’s healthcare system.
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Pricy Pill as Valued Possession
- David Armstrong's most valuable item at home is his pill bottle of Revlimid, which keeps him alive.
- The drug costs nearly $1,000 per pill, far exceeding common street drug values.
Cancer Life Expectancy Changed
- David Armstrong was told at diagnosis his life expectancy was 3 to 5 years from multiple myeloma.
- New drug treatments have improved survival, allowing many to live much longer now.
FDA Averted Thalidomide Disaster
- Thalidomide, with a dark history causing birth defects, was never approved in the U.S.
- FDA reviewer Frances Oldham Kelsey's refusal to approve it averted widespread catastrophe in America.
