The drug companies want to settle for 50 billion dollars. Where will the money for the settlement come from? The Sacklers? Stock holders? Or most likely you and me in the form of price increases.
Medicynical note: To avoid the inevitable pass-through to consumers who of course are the victims, these companies’ future price increases should be limited. I would suggest no increases for 5 years and then at the level of inflation for the next 5. The punishment should reflect the heinous nature of the crime.
Medicynic 