The Problem with Drug Pricing | Dr. Lindsey Elmore
Update: 2025-09-17
Description
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lindsey Elmore exposes the chaos unfolding in the UK as Mounjaro (weight loss/diabetes medication) prices skyrocket 170% overnight—jumping from £92 to £330 per month. Discover how Eli Lilly's "European price matching" triggered panic buying, crashed pharmacy websites, and left patients spending over £1,000 to stockpile medications. Lindsey examines the real-world impact, even in the U.S.: supply shortages, hoarding behaviors, and the unfair advantage given to those who can afford to bulk-buy versus patients with genuine medical needs. A must-listen for understanding how arbitrary pharmaceutical pricing decisions affect real people's access to life-sustaining medications.
Main Topic Introduction
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Main Topic Introduction
- 00:00-00:30 : Discussion focuses on Mounjaro (weight loss/diabetes medication) pricing crisis in the UK
- 00:37-01:13 : Massive 170% price increase starting September 1st, 2025
- Current price: £92/month
- New price: £330/month (up from planned £122/month)
- 01:25-01:41 : Eli Lilly justifies increase as "adjusting prices to match the rest of Europe"
- 00:37 & 01:41-02:01 : UK's largest online pharmacy "Pharmacy2U" freezes prices, then stops sales entirely
- 02:09-02:34 : Patients stockpiling medications before price hikes
- 02:22 : Pharmacies offering 3, 6, or 9-month bundles
- 02:44-02:59 : Real examples: patients buying 7-8 pens, spending over £1,000 in panic purchases
- 04:35 : Pharmacy websites crashing from demand
- 02:59-03:24 : Hoarding strains supply chains and prevents access for patients who truly need the medication
- 03:24-03:44 : Medical experts urge against hoarding injectable medications at home
- 03:51-04:12 : Access and fairness concerns - distinguishing between medical necessity vs. cosmetic use
- 05:37-05:57 : Drug prices change "for no reason at all" with no patient input
- 06:08-06:27 : Need to prioritize patients who medically need medications over those who can afford to stockpile
- 04:59-05:27 : Work with legislators through existing Inflation Reduction Act framework
- 06:27-06:55 : Legislative action needed to control "absurd" arbitrary drug pricing, especially for life-sustaining medications
- 07:06-07:14 : Show closing: encouraging wise health decisions
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lindsey-elmore-show--5952903/support.
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