The Medical Industrial Complex...The Rip Offs Continue....

The curious incident of the $44,000 prescription

When a CBS News employee was recently prescribed a nutritional supplement to boost his energy, he was astonished when he saw the claim the pharmacy submitted -- and his insurance approved -- for a one month supply: $44,707. 

For the cost of a BMW convertible, he got 180 capsules of powdered resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes, available at any local nutrition store. 

In fact, two bottles of another brand of resveratrol contain roughly the same amount as the $44,000 prescription, which raises an even more puzzling question: Why does the over-the-counter resveratrol cost just $157.38? 

Last week, a CBS News producer caught up with Brian Sutton, a member of the family who owns Warner West. When the producer asked him to explain the $44,000 price tag for resveratrol, Sutton ignored the question and shut the pharmacy door behind him.

DYI Comments:  Don't think for a second that this is an isolated incident as these types of scams have become rampant.  The similarities between the defense spending and the health industry for unbridled cost overruns are the same.  Today I call the health industry "The Medical Industrial Complex." Currently all levels of the health industry are exempted from Sherman Anti-Trust Acts through bribes campaign dollars.  Every portion of the health industry is consolidating over the past 20 years at an ever increasing pace.  Add on sub atomic low rates of borrowing and mega mergers are now ramped up at light speed.  Most doctors today work for large corporation.  The idea of a sole proprietor will soon be long gone.

By the way the Warner West Pharmacy(above article) is a CVS/caremark store.  Place these companies under all of the competition and anti-trust laws prices for medical care would drop 70% to 85%.  You would only need catastrophic insurance; the cost would be similar to full coverage car insurance.

DYI