01/19/2026
A 22 year old man reportedly died after choosing to pay rent instead of purchasing a $539 asthma inhaler. The case has drawn national attention to the rising cost of life saving medications in the United States.
Advocacy groups say high drug prices force patients into impossible financial decisions, especially those without adequate insurance coverage. Inhalers that cost a few dollars to manufacture often sell for hundreds.
The incident has intensified calls for pharmaceutical pricing reform and expanded access to essential medications.
Source: CBS News
