How A Drug Costs $4 In India And $1000 In The U.S.

Published January 1, 2016 at 12:35 PM EST

Drug prices have been in the news a lot lately after former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli hiked the price of a life saving drug by more than 5000 percent. But now there’s another drug in the news.

A pill to treat Hepatitis C called Sofosbuvir is sold the U.S. for $1000 a pop. But in India, a generic version is available for just four dollars.

Here & Now’s Robin Young looks at why with Michael Regan of Bloomberg News.

Guest

Michael Regan, editor for Bloomberg News. He tweets @Reganonymous.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.