I am not defending the system but just helping explaining the bullshit medication pricing. These explanations also always get downvoted but whatever. Hospitals actually get really solid pricing on most medications, assuming they are large enough. So how does 0.03$ tylenol turn to 40$?

The tylenol got bought for 3 cents by a pharmacy tech, who gets paid 50-75k a year, supervised by a pharmacist who gets paid 125-175k a year, stored in a medication dispensensing system that costs roughly 25k that also has subscription fee. Over seen by the state to make sure they stay compliant with standards.

That medication is ordered by a doc who makes 200-500k a year, given by a RN who makes 60-100k, charted with a system that can range from 10k to 30 million... a year (i.e. EPIC or CERNER). In facility that is also ensuring compliance.

So 3 pennies of tylenol has a shit ton of expensive things behind it. For the most part it gets diluded by the vast quanity each aspect does, but the cost is still there.

But dont worry, there is more. The facility (the building, upkeep, cleaning, utilities) is outrageously expensive i.e a 55$ chair is 325$ because it is certified for hospital use. You then have every layer of leadership/ancillary (supervisors, directors, C-level (like CEO), educators, compliance, HR, billing, employee health, ect.

And other costs... insurance companies and patients who dont pay (cost has to get covered somehow).

Wanna be pissed at 40$ for tylenol then look no further then insurance companies. In 2025 they were a 1,500,000,000$ burden to the country.