The Price of Remission
www.propublica.org
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I set out to understand why a single pill of Revlimid cost the same as a new iPhone. I’ve covered high drug prices as a reporter for years. What I discovered shocked even me.

Summary

Revlimid, a cancer drug derived from thalidomide, has generated over $100 billion in sales and extended thousands of lives, but its nearly $1,000-per-pill price has pushed many patients into debt.

Celgene, the original maker, exploited regulatory loopholes to block generics and inflate prices 26 times since 2005.

Despite costing just 25 cents to produce, Revlimid’s high price fueled lavish executive pay and Wall Street gains.

Even after generic entry, prices remain exorbitant. Critics, including patients and lawmakers, decry the drug’s pricing as exploitative and harmful.