
Former Big Pharma CEO Martin Shkreli Pleads the Fifth When Questioned About Drug Gouging
- Almost 60 percent of Americans have to live in fear of losing their health or their lifestyle
- “Pharma Bro” finally shuts up, but only while in court
- Easy tips to keep your money out of Big Pharma’s pockets.
Dear Reader,
Prescription drug price gouging isn’t an uncommon theme in the American health care system.
Chances are you have had firsthand experience. Like when you open a hospital bill and see a $30 charge for Tylenol. Or when you get to the pharmacy and find out your allergy medication is 250 bucks.
It’s one of the worst feelings — you’re trapped. Trapped between having a possible health improvement and paying your bills or enjoying a more comfortable lifestyle.
It’s terrifying to know that your health and financial well-being depend on the arbitrary decisions of drugmakers.
And while prescription drugs may not always be the healthiest or most natural choice, there are times in life when they are the only choice — making you the victim of Big Pharma’s greed.
With almost 60 percent of Americans using prescription drugs, it’s no wonder Big Pharma is only getting bigger. 1
Recently, the American public has been raising more questions about Big Pharma pricing and their despicable practices.
In fact, just last Thursday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform had a face-off with “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli about his recent price gouging. But it was just that — a face-off, from Shkreli at least.
Let’s take a look at what Shkreli was up too while he was in the House last week.
Poster Villain
You may remember Martin Shkreli from his unfathomable actions last year when he upped the price of an HIV medication, Daraprim, 50-fold.2
Shkreli had big plans for this price hike even before he had acquired the drug. He even sent emails out to his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, boasting, “$1 billion, here we come” while still in the process of getting the rights to the drug.3
He refused to speak to members of Congress when they asked him several questions about his nefarious decision to drive up the price of Daraprim from $13.50 a pill to $750 a pill back in September.
In fact, some members asked him direct questions about the Daraprim scandal.
For instance, committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz questioned Shkreli about what he would say to an HIV-positive pregnant woman in need of Daraprim but unable pay for it. Shkreli invoked the Fifth Amendment.
As several other members of Congress attempted to get a response from Shkreli, he maintained his typically arrogant air and proceeded to smirk and roll his eyes throughout questioning.

Martin Shkreli smiling while before the House.
Photo Credit: Mark Wilson, Ghetty Images
At one point, Shkreli looked as though he were about to burst into laughter as lawmakers discussed the victims of Turing Pharmaceuticals and his personal greed.
His snide laughter and facial expression evoked Maryland ranking Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings into furiously bellowing, “It’s not funny, Mr. Shkreli. People are dying. And they’re getting sicker and sick.”2
Shkreli’s antics continued outside of the courtroom. He later used social media platform Twitter to reveal his feelings about Congress:

Photo Credit: Twitter
While Shkreli’s statement about the government isn’t a far cry from the truth in most instances, it’s his blatant greed and disrespect for the consumer that makes him such a scoundrel.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals is another member of the Big Pharma club that has recently come under scrutiny due it its drastic price increases for two cardiac drugs. And these weren’t minor inflation adjustments. The prices increased by 212 percent and 525 percent.4
When questioned by the House, Valeant interim CEO Howard Schiller had this to say in a prepared statement:
While, like most other pharmaceutical companies, we will from time to time raise prices, I expect those price increases to be within industry norms and much more modest than the ones that drew this committee’s legitimate concern.
Schiller went on to tell the committee, “Where we’ve made mistakes, we’re listening and we’re changing.”3
While it’s pretty obvious the government is making examples of these two poster villains, Valeant and Turing are certainly not alone in the price gouging of American health care.
Many other pharmaceutical companies are making a killing too. Actually, Merck netted $11.9 billion last year. It seems reasonable to assume they made some of that fortune through the increased costs of prescription drugs.5
But you don’t have to bow down to Big Pharma. There are a few ways to keep people like Martin Shkreli from untying your purse strings.
One way to do this is to take an inventory of your current meds. If you are taking more than one med to treat the same disease or symptom, ask your doctor if that is necessary.
Also, you can look for a natural alternative. There are natural solutions to lots of common ailments for which we take prescriptions. Do your research about your condition and ask your doctor if the natural options you find are a good match for you.
If you have any medicine cost-cutting tips, please share! nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] Nearly 60 percent of Americans — the highest ever — are taking prescription drugs
[2] ‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli Invokes the Fifth Before Congress
[3] Former Pharma Big Martin Shkreli Boasted ‘$1 Bn Here We Come,’ Documents Say
[4] Valeant, Turing Slammed as Shkreli Calls Congress ‘Imbeciles’

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell
I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...
7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills
On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...
Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions
“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...
New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High
A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....