More or Less - The shocking world of US health costs
Download The shocking world of US health costs
A loyal listener wrote in to question this claim made by neuroscientist Dr Daniel Levitin: "Here in the US valium in a pharmacy might be $3 that same pill in a hospital setting might be $750."
Our listener was shocked at how one pill can cost 250 x more in a hospital setting than in a pharmacy. But can it? Sort of.
We turned to Elisabeth Rosenthal to take us on a dive into the frankly shocking world of US Health costs.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Series Producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill
Published on Saturday, 20th December 2025.
Available Podcasts from More or Less
We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the More or Less webpage.