This episode focuses on the health insurance industry. This particular company offered the patient's family two choices: a bone marrow transplant (it was unlikely this particular patient would find a match in time.) Or, a drug recently made available the company would not cover and the family could not afford
However, both sides of the aisle could have questioned the pharmaceutical industry as well. One dose of the new drug the insurance company voted not to support was $2,500 and the young leukemia patient would need it monthly for life . Apart from the lack of longitudinal studies, cost was clearly the main reason it was turned down by the majority of the company"s special cases committee.
But, did the drug have to be this costly?
However, both sides of the aisle could have questioned the pharmaceutical industry as well. One dose of the new drug the insurance company voted not to support was $2,500 and the young leukemia patient would need it monthly for life . Apart from the lack of longitudinal studies, cost was clearly the main reason it was turned down by the majority of the company"s special cases committee.
But, did the drug have to be this costly?