The primary failure is that healthcare is considered an "industry" in the US and that health "insurance" is incentivized to keep prices (and profits) high. Hea

The primary failure is that healthcare is considered an "industry" in the US and that health "insurance" is incentivized to keep prices (and profits) high. Health insurance by private companies is just a scam. In combination with "not-for-profit" hospitals, medical practicioners loaded with college debt, lobbying to government to enforce ongoing rent-seeking (eg "Medicare D is specifically not allowed to negotiate drug prices"). The entire US health system needs an enema. It should not be up to the patient to "be aware of better options". It should not be up to the pharmacist to stop him leaving when he couldn't afford it. What should have happened is that a doctor prescribed the appropriate medication, and a pharmacist supplied that medication, both ensuring the best outcome for the patient. The cost of the medication should be absorbed (not totally perhaps, but within the bounds of reality and the minimum wage) by the government. That forces the government to negotiate the best possible price with the suppliers and to remove inappropriate IP "rights" when they no longer "promote the progress of science and the useful arts".