Annual Shkreli Awards single out health care misbehavior

The Lown Institute just named the winners of its third annual Shkreli Awards, named for “pharma bro” Martin Shkreli and given to those who the health care think tank found to exemplify “profiteering and dysfunction in health care.” The institute says Dr. Richard Sackler, a member of the billionaire family that founded and controls Purdue Pharma, made the list for shifting blame for the opioid crisis onto those who became addicted, despite the company’s aggressive OxyContin marketing. The top spot went to nonprofit hospitals that promote a community health mission but that have sued patients for not paying medical bills. Other notable mentions: companies that worked to defeat legislation protecting against “surprise” medical bills, and an oncologist who was fired for not disclosing millions in pharma funding who then landed a job at a drug company.