boost: Why Drugs Are So Expensive in the US

cross posted to the wonderful podcastjoy community

An Arm and A Leg is a podcast focused on the cruel cost of U.S. health care. Experienced radio producer Dan Weisman personally crashed into this issue, looked around for help, and realized this was a beat that needed covering. He does original reporting and boosts the knowledge of dedicated fact-hunters and advocates from around the U.S.

Even though the topic is dire, the show is funny and well-edited. What If This Podcast Were A Musical is indeed a musical about the cost of health care!

The Why Are Drug Prices So Random episode turned on a very bright lightbulb for me re pharmacy benefit managers. PBMs are the 41 for-profit companies which determine how much U.S. folks pay for a prescription, no matter whether we have health insurance.

I’ve poked Dan about his wanton use of "crazy" as an all-purpose negative adjective and the lack of transcripts for An Arm and A Leg, and he promises to do better.

In the meantime, a sober evaluation of PBMs from STATnews:

( 350 words about PBMs )