John Oliver's back and he spent most of the first show of his second season discussing prescription drugs. More specifically, he noted that a lot of doctors are taking a lot of money (and free lunches!) from drug companies, then turning around and prescribing the wares of their benefactors. That's both good and troubling to know.
In the piece, which I've embedded below, he directs people to this website where you can look up your doctor and see how much loot he or she has taken and from whom. Naturally, I looked up mine: My general practitioner, my new urologist, my old urologist, my dermatologist, my gastroenterologist, my podiatrist, my dermatologist and the guy who's making a full-time practice out of fixing my knees. That's everyone who's written me a prescription in the last seven or so years.
My podiatrist took $2200 from a drug company to deliver a lecture but the company involved has nothing to do with what he's treating me for. The others either took nothing or some amount under $30 for "food and beverage" from Lilly USA LLC, which makes Prozac, Cialias, Cymbalta, Methadone and other drugs I've never taken or had prescribed. My new urologist got $24.24 from them, which I'm guessing is like a roast beef sandwich with fries, a side salad and a large drink. I sure hope there was no cole slaw involved because then I'd have to find a new new urologist.
Just in case you don't have HBO or didn't catch it, here's Mr. Oliver's report…