Its a media show... The drug in question only applies to 3000 people, has no patent on it (anyone can manufacture it), is currently the lowest price in its category, costs $20 if you have insurance, is free if you have no insurance.

They are talking about impoverished women with AIDS in Africa - and the drug company only has a license for the US, the drug itself has nothing to do with AIDS, and is free for half the patients and a $20 co-pay for the other half.

This is what Shkreli has counted on you believing. The cost is NOT $20. The co-pay is. The amount paid by your insurer is well into the four digits.

Your insurer isn't an endowment, it isn't a charity. Notwithstanding a few percent ROI on investing premiums, the only person paying these four digits is you. Or your employer. It's just amortized and spread among a group.

"It's not that bad, it's really only $20" is the big trick here. A much higher amount is being billed, and paid, even after negotiation. It's not coming from a magic money fairy.