#391: The Anti-Addiction Pill That's Big Business For Drug Dealers




Planet Money show

Summary: <p></p><p style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">There's a pill called Suboxone that treats addiction to heroin and pain pills like oxycontin. Doctors and addicts say it's amazing.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">"It was the best thing that ever happened," one heroin addict told us. "I was like OH. MY. LORD. This is a miracle pill."</p><p style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">The government spent tens of millions of dollars developing Suboxone. Doctors can prescribe it in their offices. But a lot of people who want it can't get it from a doctor, so they have to buy it on the street.</p><p style="font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Today on the show: Why people have to turn to drug dealers to get a pill that fights addiction.</p><p></p>