‘American healthcare is a scam’: American woman claims $1,000 worth of drugs from India cost her just $25 | Today’s news
An American woman has sparked debate on social media after she claimed a prescription drug that would have cost her $1,000 in the United States ended up costing just $25 when obtained from an Indian manufacturer.
The woman, identified as Victoria, shared her experience in a viral Instagram video in which she criticized the US healthcare system and questioned why patients are often charged vastly different prices for the same drug.
According to Victoria, her insurance provider refused to cover the medication, leaving her with a hefty out-of-pocket expense.
“$1000 for six pills”
Victoria explained her frustration, saying she was initially told the medication would cost $1,000 in the United States because her insurance company would not pay for it.
Read also | Following the court order, workers began removing Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center
“This drug was supposed to cost me $1,000 out of pocket in the US and I bought it for $25. Yes, just six little pills, $1,000 out of pocket because my insurance wouldn’t cover it,” Victoria said in the clip.
Unwilling to pay such a high amount, she researched alternatives and eventually found a much cheaper option.
The doctor suggested another way
Victoria said her doctor advised her to send the prescription to a Canadian pharmacy, which could obtain the drug directly from the Indian manufacturer.
She admitted she still expected to pay a few hundred dollars.
“So my doctor said send the script to a Canadian pharmacy. She did and asked how much it would be, she was expecting maybe $100 or $200, which I was prepared to pay,” Victoria said.
However, the final price surprised.
Read also | A woman notices a strange golden symbol on a new Indian passport, the internet explains
“They were about $25. $10 for the drug itself, $15 for shipping. International shipping direct from the manufacturer in India to me.”
The revelation caused Victoria to question the pricing structure of prescription drugs in the US.
‘We are completely deceived’
The viral video soon turned into a critique of the American healthcare system.
“Our health care system in the US is a joke. We’re completely ripped off. What do you mean it’s going to cost a thousand dollars? And I could have paid $10 for the medicine alone,” she said.
Victoria also questioned where the extra costs associated with the drug go.
“What did I pay $1,000 in the US for? Who will the money go to? That’s a hypothetical question. You all understand me.”
Her comments resonated with many users who have long criticized the high cost of prescription drugs and health care in the United States.
The Internet Responds
As the clip gained traction online, social media users flooded the comments section with reactions, comparisons and personal experiences.
One user suggested that traveling to India would still be cheaper than buying medicine in the US.
“Fly to India, enjoy a week of vacation in India, go to the pharmacy, buy what you want to buy and come back to the US, and still. it will cost you less than $1000,” the user wrote.
Another commenter pointed to India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and said:
“Curse India but take medicine from India.”
Read also | Tech woman jumps to death from 6th floor with 6-month-old baby; the infant survives
Several users have also shared similar experiences of sourcing drugs internationally due to high prices in America.
“Had to get my rifaximin from India via Canada. It’s crazy. I have pretty decent state insurance but it’s still absolutely crazy,” one user commented.
Another claimed to have bought the drugs directly from India and wrote:
“I ordered the medicine directly from India, without a prescription.
One commentator highlighted the low retail costs of drugs in India, adding:
“You can get it in India ₹100, which is a maximum of $1.”
