This Small Change to Drug Policy Will Make Pharma Bad Actors Cry

When it comes to American medicine, we are definitely in a Dickensian best of times, worst of times situation. On the one hand, Big Pharma has created wonder drugs that can perform miracles, like the weight loss drugs that have helped even Amy Schumer! On the other hand, so many of these miracles are out of reach for those of us who aren’t movie stars. 

Take, for example, the bizarre, outrageous differences in drug prices between the U.S. and other countries have eroded what little trust the American public had for its healthcare system. It’s created a situation where Big Pharma has sacrificed any goodwill it may have had while making itself an easy target for political leaders. 

One particularly egregious example that’s emerged is Miebo, an artificial tears treatment for dry eyes created by Bausch & Lomb. To get a month’s supply of the drug in Europe — sold as EvoTears — costs $20 over-the-counter (OTC), but an $800 prescription here in the U.S. If you’re having a little trouble reading this because of dry eyes, you can find it on the cheap here.

Now if you’re worried that circumventing the US medical system may mean sad days for execs at Bausch & Lomb, don’t worry – they’re doing just fine.