MNI Media
Monday, February 27, 2023
Woody Harrelson has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live was no exception. During his opening monologue, the actor took aim at "big pharma," the pharmaceutical industry that he argues prioritizes profits over people.
Harrelson began by discussing the opioid epidemic in the United States, noting that millions of Americans are addicted to prescription painkillers. He then criticized the pharmaceutical industry for "pushing these drugs like candy" and accused them of "creating a nation of addicts."
The actor also spoke out against the high cost of prescription drugs, arguing that "no one should have to choose between buying medication and putting food on the table." He called on lawmakers to take action to rein in the pharmaceutical industry and make medication more affordable for all Americans.
Harrelson's comments were met with applause from the audience, and many viewers took to social media to express their support for the actor's message. It remains to be seen whether his words will spark any real change in the pharmaceutical industry, but for now, it's clear that Woody Harrelson is not afraid to speak his mind.
While Harrelson's comments on Saturday Night Live may have been controversial, they reflect a growing concern among Americans about the rising cost of healthcare and the role of the pharmaceutical industry in shaping our healthcare system.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 58% of Americans believe that the cost of prescription drugs is "unreasonable," and 72% believe that the pharmaceutical industry has too much influence over healthcare policy. This skepticism is not unfounded: the pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars each year on lobbying and campaign contributions to shape healthcare policy in its favor.
There are some signs that change may be on the horizon. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to lower the cost of prescription drugs and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation aimed at reining in drug prices and increasing transparency in the pharmaceutical industry.
But there is still a long way to go. The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet we have worse health outcomes than many other developed nations. Until we address the root causes of our healthcare crisis, including the high cost of prescription drugs and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, we will continue to fall behind.
Woody Harrelson's comments on Saturday Night Live are a reminder that we need to keep pushing for change. We need to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable for its role in shaping our healthcare system, and we need to fight for a healthcare system that puts people first. It won't be easy, but as Harrelson has shown, sometimes all it takes is speaking out and refusing to be silenced.
***Image used by Ross: Rampart Premiere tiff from Flickr under the Creative Commons Licence**
