Short Wave A Tale Of Two (Very Different) Drug Prices
Mar 2, 2020
Sydney Lupkin, NPR's pharmaceuticals correspondent, sheds light on a family's struggle with staggering drug prices. She dives into a story where a dad discovers an identical medication for his daughter costing thousands less. The discussion highlights the complex web of healthcare costs, insurance challenges, and the emotional toll on families. Lupkin offers savvy tips for navigating the high costs of prescription medications, emphasizing the importance of understanding drug pricing disparities and advocating for accessible healthcare.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Precocious Puberty Diagnosis
- Sudeep's 8-year-old adopted daughter started showing signs of early puberty.
- Her doctor diagnosed her with central precocious puberty.
Drug Price Discrepancy
- Two nearly identical medication options exist, both made by Endo Pharmaceuticals, but with vastly different prices.
- Insurance only covered the more expensive option, priced at $95,000.
Drug Options and Costs
- One drug, Suprelin LA, is approved for central precocious puberty and costs $37,000 (marked up to $95,000 by the hospital).
- The other, Vantus, is for prostate cancer and costs $4,000.