For decades, drugmakers have argued that patents are critical to bringing new drugs to the market. But in 2004, when a promising H.I.V. treatment emerged, Gilead Sciences decided to slow-walk its release to maximize profit on the company’s existing patents.
Rebecca Robbins, who covers the pharmaceutical industry for The Times, discusses one man’s case and h ... Show More
Jan 30
Trump 2.0: The President’s Affordability Problem
President Trump was elected in 2024 on the promise that he would fix the economy. Now, a new poll from The New York Times/Siena reveals that the issue may be driving voters away.Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst at The Times, explains what the poll tells us.Guest: Nate Cohn, ... Show More
32m 44s
Oct 2021
Sick Money (Pt 1): Exposing the drug companies' price gouging tactics
<p>In the first of two episodes this week, we're taking a deep dive into the pharmaceutical industry. </p><p>How much does the medication you take actually cost? What if a company came along and bought the rights to a particular drug and started charging double, triple, or even 1 ... Show More
29m 31s
Mar 2024
Long Reads: Big Pharma's Toxic Record w/ Nick Dearden
<p>From the HIV/AIDS crisis, to the opioid epidemic, to the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical corporations have been accused of profiteering at the expense of countless lives. Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now and the author of a new book called <a href="https://www.ve ... Show More
53m 19s
Jul 2023
Sawbones: Patents vs. Life-Saving Drugs
<p>John Green recently made a video asking Johnson & Johnson not to extend their patent on a tuberculosis drug, which would keep it exclusive and expensive. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about how drug patents work, the recent (good) update about bedaquiline specifically, and the ne ... Show More
38m 46s