An American woman living in India has sparked a social media debate by highlighting the dramatic price difference between cancer medication in the US and India. According to reports from Instagram, Liz shared a viral video comparing the cost of Revlimid, a medicine used to treat certain blood cancers. The video reveals that a single pill costs approximately $900 (₹85,000) in the United States, while generic versions of the same medication are available in India for ₹35 to ₹300. The comparison specifically references her aunt's treatment for blood cancer, where Revlimid is part of the medication regimen. The video has gained significant traction, attracting more than 772,000 views and hundreds of comments on social media platforms.
In the viral video, Liz described the price gap as "shocking" and attributed it to differences between the two healthcare systems. As reported by Instagram, she stated that "India has some of the cheapest medicines in the world," while Americans are being "robbed by the high prices of prescription drugs in the US." The comparison specifically references her aunt's treatment for blood cancer, where Revlimid is part of the medication regimen. Liz emphasized that "In the US, we are being robbed, whereas India provides affordable healthcare for its people," highlighting the stark contrast between the two nations' healthcare accessibility. The video has continued to circulate widely, fuelling discussions around drug pricing and access to affordable medicines.
The viral video has generated widespread discussion on social media platforms, with users expressing shock at the price disparity. According to Instagram reports, one user commented "Free cancer treatment is also available at government Hospital in India," while another stated "900 USD... shame on them. Every time I go to India I take the chance to buy some generic medicines, also cheaper than Europe." Another wrote "Unfortunate but true. US regulators need to do better for people." The comparison has gained attention due to the substantial cost differential between the two markets for essential cancer treatment medications.
This viral comparison is part of a growing trend of Americans comparing medicine prices with India, highlighting the global disparity in pharmaceutical pricing. As reported by Moneycontrol, another viral video last month featured an American woman named Victoria claiming that a prescription medicine costing around $1,000 (about ₹95,000) in the United States was available for around $25 (about ₹2,300) when sourced through an Indian manufacturer. The repeated comparisons reflect broader issues with prescription drug affordability in the United States compared to India's more accessible healthcare system.
