Rebecca Robbins

In this engaging discussion, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, a health policy correspondent for The New York Times, and Rebecca Robbins, a business reporter specializing in the pharmaceutical industry, explore the historic overhaul empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices. They dive into the intense lobbying efforts from drugmakers to resist these changes and the potential effects on medication costs for older Americans. The guests shed light on how this could reshape the pharmaceutical landscape, balancing corporate profitability with patient affordability.

Rebecca Robbins, a business reporter for The New York Times specializing in the pharmaceutical industry, delves into the controversial practices of Gilead Sciences. She reveals how the company prioritized profits by delaying a safer H.I.V. treatment. Robbins recounts a retiree's struggle with H.I.V. medications, highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by companies that may sacrifice patient safety for financial gain. The discussion illuminates the challenges posed by patent laws and the impact on drug innovation, access, and affordability.

Rebecca Robbins, a business reporter for The New York Times specializing in Covid-19 vaccines, dives into the contentious debate over the necessity of a booster shot amid the Delta variant surge. She discusses the effectiveness of existing vaccines and the ethical implications of administering extra doses in wealthy nations while many remain unvaccinated elsewhere. The conversation also touches on the financial motivations of pharmaceutical companies and the urgent need for global vaccine equity.