Topic: Drug Companies

The hosts connect modern drug trafficking to historical precedents, citing the East India Company's role in the Opium Wars. They reference the final season of Downton Abbey to illustrate the decline of the British elite whose wealth was built on illicit trade. The discussion suggests that the global economy remains heavily dependent on the illicit drug trade and that historical animosities toward American success persist.

A federal court in Washington blocked a Department of Health and Human Services mandate that would have required pharmaceutical companies to disclose drug prices in television advertisements. The court ruled that Congress had not granted HHS the specific power to enforce such a rule. Despite high list prices for medications like Lexapro, it is noted that many drug companies offer assistance programs that provide free or discounted medication to those who cannot afford it.

Charles Ortel details his 15-month investigation into the Clinton Foundation's financial filings, noting material differences between website reports and state database records. The discussion explores how drug companies might use charitable foundations to gain tax deductions on overpriced medications.

C-SPAN hearings regarding the lack of new antibiotics highlight a lack of incentives for pharmaceutical companies to invest in research and development. The discussion suggests that current tax laws prevent drug companies from rationalizing the costs associated with developing new life-saving medications.