During a recent interview on NBC News” “Meet the Press,” Dr. Mehmet Oz, the current head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, faced a challenging question regarding former President Donald Trump“s assertion that his administration had reduced prescription drug prices by as much as “1,500 percent.”
When anchor Kristen Welker pressed Dr. Oz about the mathematical implications of such a claim, he appeared to struggle with the basic calculations. Welker pointedly asked, “Cutting drug prices by 400 percent—anything over 100 percent—wouldn”t that effectively make them free? Is that a realistic goal from the president?”
Dr. Oz responded with an explanation that revealed a significant misunderstanding of percentage reductions. He stated, “The president does the calculation by saying, “OK, if a drug was $100 and you reduce it to $50, it”s 100 percent cheaper because you”re taking $50 off and leaving you with only $50.”” This statement indicates a fundamental confusion about how percentages work.
Welker, perhaps recognizing the gravity of the miscalculation, reminded Oz that Trump claimed a reduction of 1,500 percent. If a drug priced at $100 were reduced by that amount, it would result in a price of $-1,400, suggesting patients would be paid to use the medication rather than the reverse.
Undeterred, Dr. Oz continued his explanation, citing an example of a drug that costs $200 or $240 being reduced to $10. He emphasized that these figures were relevant to the conversation, but his focus seemed to shift towards praising the administration”s efforts rather than addressing the significant mathematical errors.
While Dr. Oz is a certified physician, his history includes disseminating questionable health information and advocating for unproven medical practices. This incident highlights concerns regarding the qualifications of individuals appointed to oversee health policy, particularly under the Trump administration. Other controversial figures, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have also raised eyebrows with their unorthodox views on health issues.
In summary, Dr. Oz”s perplexing explanation during the NBC interview has sparked discussions about the credibility of claims made regarding drug pricing and the individuals responsible for overseeing such critical health policies.
