On Showtime's Shameless, Frank has been trying to make an honest living, but recently found himself laid off and has found it difficult to find a new job. In the December 17 episode "Occupy Fiona," he's in a bar complaining about his rotten luck when he meets a man who thinks he has it worse. This man, Akram, has it so bad that he has tried to "flee up to Canada," but hasn't been able to get there. This leads Frank to think of a new business opportunity as a coyote.
First, Akram explains his dilemma in a way that is sure to make current immigration policies look bad, which is something of a theme with Shameless this year. However, they don't seem to realize that, in this particular story, it isn't all America's fault.
Akram: I'm being deported next month. Been here 25 years. I was a translator in Iraq during the goddamn Desert Storm. Now they're kicking me out. Because of a fucking speeding ticket. I tried to flee up to Canada, but they stopped me at the border, wouldn't let me in, sent me back.
Frank: Wait, you're trying to get out of America?
Akram: Yeah.
Frank: Jesus, that's a piece of fucking cake.
Akram: Yeah, maybe for a white guy.
Frank: Frank Gallagher.
Akram: Akram.
Frank: Akram, my friend. This could be your lucky day. Praise Allah.
It's interesting that nobody seems to be talking about the fact that Canada won't let people in. Isn't America supposed to be the only bad guy on immigration, while Canada is just welcoming everyone with open arms (and borders)?
Later, Frank sees how this could be an ever bigger business opportunity than he imagined.
Frank: Cross the Michigan border right here. I am your deliverer, my friend. It just so happens I find myself between jobs, so for a small fee... Say, 200, plus gas and tolls, I'll get you and your family across, show what that big, beautiful country up north is all "A-boot."
Kermit: Hey, Frank, if you're going to Canada, can you do me a favor, bring me back some Canadian insulin? It's 50 percent cheaper up there.
Frank: Sorry, going across on foot. No time to hit a pharmacy. Unless, of course, you want me to make time?
Kermit: You're a rat bastard, Frank, you know that? It's my insulin. Literally keeps me alive.
Frank: It's your diabetes, not mine.
Kermit: Oh, fine, I'll-- I'll pay you 20 bucks to get me a case of Canadian insulin.
Man One: Oh, who's going to Canada?
Man Two: He is.
Man One: Buddy, listen, can you get me some epipens? My kid's allergic to peanuts. They're 600 bucks here, and only 225 up there. I-I'll pay you whatever he's paying.
Frank: Well, Kermit's a friend. I was giving him the friend-price. My rate's... $30 per drug, per run, plus gratuity.
Man: Done.
Kermit: I-I was first. Frank, it's Invokana. I-n-v-o-k-a-n-a.
Man Two: You know, my cousin'd take a case of that Tecfidera for his Ms friend.
Frank: Gentlemen, one at a time. A man's backpack is only so big.
So, Frank is sneaking people into Canada (because, remember, they aren't just letting people in) and, while he's there, people want inexpensive medication. While I'm sure they mean for this to be an indictment of the American healthcare system, they're leaving out a whole lot of information. First and foremost, these drugs aren't subject to FDA regulations, so who's to say that Frank would even be bringing back the actual medication these people need? The World Health Organization estimates that half the drugs sold online, for example, are counterfeit. That's probably why they're inexpensive. Even if it is the correct medication, it was likely shipped in from overseas and not stored correctly, as the FDA warns.
For argument's sake, let's say Frank does get the correct drug and it's still safe to take. Why is it so expensive in America? Let's look at the EpiPen. Prices for the EpiPen are high (they've increased 400% in recent years), there's no way around it, but insurers have historically negotiated with manufacturer Mylan over prices. The manufacturer also gave out coupons and gave free EpiPens to schools. However, with Obamacare raising deductibles and raising co-payments, people are more aware of the cost. In addition, until very recently, the federal government has prevented competitors from entering the marketplace, so competition could not drive down prices.
It's interesting that they've been able to lobby for and keep this monopoly while in Europe, for example, there are multiple competitors. Heather Bresch, the head of Mylan is the daughter of Joe Manchin, Democrat Senator from West Virginia and that state's former governor. In addition to securing this virtual monopoly on the formula used in the EpiPen, EpiPens are also mandatory in public schools in 11 states.
Yes, the EpiPen is expensive but, if they're trying to sell us on ObamaCare, they're failing miserably. The lack of a free market is what's driving up these prices. If the government got out of the way, Frank wouldn't need to fill his backpack with questionable medications with drugs for his buddies at the bar. I guess that's just not as good of a story for Shameless though, is it?
