22. Big Pharma: How to Fight Back
White Coat Rebels
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Let's dive into the healthcare world where one of the toughest puzzles is the crazy cost of prescription drugs. It's like a maze with lots of twists: laws, pharma tactics, and how the whole healthcare scene moves. Dr. Neda Ashtari and I are teaming up for this podcast episode to crack this code and figure out why meds are costing us an arm and a leg.
Here's the deal: we've got this big law called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It's a nice step, but here's the catch – it only helps folks on Medicare. That's great for them, but what about everyone else? We're making strides, but there's more work to do. And guess what? We've all got a part to play in this mission for cheaper healthcare.
Now, let's chat about tools in the toolbox that can save you cash on your prescriptions. There's these cool co-pay cards, coupon things, and programs to aid patients. Oh, and keep an eye out for GoodRx – it's like a magic coupon book for meds. But here's the scoop: while these helpers can save the day, they're not a forever fix for the pricey drug puzzle.
Switching gears, we're giving a shout-out to a gang called Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM). They're global champs fighting for meds that everyone can get. Especially in places where it's tough to afford. UAEM's all about making sure life-saving treatments don't stay locked behind a money gate.
Time for some drama – we're peeking behind the curtain on doctors and drug money. There's this tool called 'Dollars for Docs' by Pro Publica. It spills the beans on cash ties between doctors and pharma giants. Transparency's the name of the game, making sure your doc isn't swayed by cash when they're prescribing you stuff.
Wrapping it all up, we're sounding the rallying cry: let's make some noise for laws that kick those drug prices down a notch. We're all in this together, and each voice counts big time. When it comes to the battle for cheaper meds, knowledge is power. By understanding the game of drug pricing and the tricks up our sleeves, we're turning into savvy shoppers. Let's work toward a healthcare scene that's got our backs, no matter who we are.
Who is Dr. Neda Ashtari?
Dr. Neda Ashtari is a first year internal medicine Resident at Yale New Haven Hospital. She became involved with UAEM in her first year of medical school and soon co-founded UCLA’s UAEM chapter. Her efforts have largely revolved around the UAEM Xtandi campaign, an advocacy initiative aimed at increasing access to a lifesaving prostate cancer drug developed on UCLA’s campus.
Outside of these roles, Neda also enjoys working with several other advocacy organizations. During her time at UCLA, She served as co-president of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine DGSOM American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter, and was co-chair of AMSA National’s Pharm-Free Campaign, and Legislative Director of the UCLA Graduate Student Association. Her interests include ensuring access to healthcare for justice-involved youth and research translation to policy. Neda plans to pursue a career in both clinical medicine and health policy.