The Shift: How Drug Companies Turned Patients into Charity Cases

Ever wondered why you're paying more for medicine, even with insurance? It's a tricky situation. Pharmaceutical companies used to argue that drugs were affordable. But as prices soared, they switched tactics. Now, they say, "Don't worry, we'll give you financial help. " So, are patients still consumers or have they become charity cases? Let's explore this shift through the eyes of medical and economic sociologists. They've been studying how drug company executives talk about prices in Congressional hearings for decades.Initially, execs said drugs were fair and cost-effective. But as prices climbed, they changed their tune. Now, they focus on making drugs accessible through financial aid programs run by their companies. It's like a new phase of capitalism in healthcare, where big companies redefine who gets help and who doesn't.