CBC The Fifth Estate: The Costco Kickbacks; The Desperate Canadians (2018)

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Duration: 45m12s
Resolution: 852x480
Video Format: AVC
Audio Format: AAC
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The Costco Kickbacks
Secret audio tapes and an exclusive television interview with an industry whistleblower reveal a shady practice that is industry-wide. A Fifth Estate investigation shows how Costco pressed one generic drug company for illegal payments to stock their products -- undermining government attempts to protect consumers.

Two Costo executives pleaded guilty to professional misconduct in front of the Ontario College of Pharmacists and the company says it suspended the practices upon conclusion of its own internal investigation. Costco says it didn’t use the funds to “line our pockets” but on the contrary the payments “are used to defray our operating costs to allow us to pass the savings on to our customers.”

Hear the secret audio tapes for the first time and meet the man who blew the whistle. And find out how Canadians could be saving billions on the cost of generic drugs.

The Desperate Canadians
Although Canadians' health care system is known outside Canada, not many are aware that it does not include dentistry, eye care, or even medicine. Plenty of Canadians cannot afford the high cost of drugs, so they go without, reducing quality of life, and often leading to premature death.