Drugs, Money, and Secret Handshakes

A Klaxon Call. In this exceedingly well documented scholarship, Feldman presents the case well. And what an alarming case it is. Drug manufacturers have found ways to game the system at all levels such that the existing system in the US actually encourages ever higher drug prices - even as patients are crying out under the strain and in many cases forgoing life saving medication due to not being able to afford it. Feldman explains the problem at all levels though four of the six chapters of the book, with the first chapter being an overall introduction to the problem and the final chapter being suggested solutions - including a range going from possibly politically palatable yet likely ineffective to very likely effective but less likely to be politically palatable. Overall a stunning work that could - and likely should - drive at least some discussions through the 2020 election cycle.