#110 Big Pharma: Profits Over Patients?

#110 Big Pharma: Profits Over Patients?

From I Shower After Work Podcast by Jason, John

April 16, 2026 · 56 min · Episode 110

About this episode

Jason and John discuss the issues surrounding pharmaceutical advertising and the impact of prescription drugs on patients.

Jason and John record from the east & west side job trailers, running on fumes after long days and John’s quick out-of-town trip. They rant about prescription drugs and how the U.S. (and limited cases in New Zealand) allows direct-to-consumer pharma commercials, arguing the system is built around treating symptoms for profit rather than cures. They dig into GLP-1 drugs being used as a weight loss drug and its impact on the diabetes treatments, shortages and cost issues, and side effects like nausea and bone mass loss. Plus, a state-by-state prescription increases (with Rhode Island and Massachusetts surging and New York having the largest overall increase). They discuss non-medical Adderall use, risks and overdose, compare severe side-effect lists across drugs (including cancer treatment vs psoriasis meds), and react to a hair-loss drug with stroke-like warnings. The episode also touches on opioids, fentanyl, the FDA, and the money trail behind approvals, ending with a darkly funny quote: “May the bridges that I burn light your way.” Question for listeners: Have you or someone you know been affected by a prescription shortage, surprise side effect, or drug billing nightmare…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jason, John

Topics covered

  • pharmaceutical advertising
  • drug shortages
  • weight loss drugs
  • Adderall misuse
  • healthcare profits
  • side effects

Keywords

  • Big Pharma
  • prescription drugs
  • direct-to-consumer ads
  • drug side effects
  • healthcare costs
  • GLP-1
  • Adderall
  • opioids
  • fentanyl

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FDA

Products: GLP-1 drugs, Adderall, hair-loss drug, opioids, fentanyl

Places: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, U.S., New Zealand

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