Organized Money How One Man Fought A Pharmaceutical Monopoly
10 snips
Aug 19, 2025 Join Dan Weissman, an investigative reporter and host of An Arm and a Leg, alongside Emily Pizzacreda, a dedicated producer and insulin-dependent diabetic, as they dive into a riveting tale of pharmaceutical monopolies. They explore the alarming rise in costs of tuberculosis treatments, a drug critical for saving lives, yet often out of reach. Discover the inspiring grassroots movement led by YouTubers advocating for affordable healthcare and the impact of India's patent laws that sparked a revolution in access to essential medicines. This is a powerful story of activism and hope.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Meeting Henry Changed John Green
- John Green met a severely ill TB patient named Henry in Sierra Leone, which sparked his obsession with tuberculosis access issues.
- Henry later survived after receiving a regimen that included bedaquiline, showing how the drug can save lives when available.
Patents Often Outlive Their 20-Year Term
- Drug patents are supposed to last 20 years but companies extend protection through later filings and tweaks.
- This practice keeps prices high and prevents generics from lowering costs when patients need them most.
Patent Thickets Extend Monopoly Power
- Pharmaceutical companies file many incremental patents (a patent thicket) to extend monopolies and delay generics.
- IMAC's study found top drugs average 131 patents each, effectively stretching protection decades beyond 20 years.
