Pharmakon

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1

-How's life Gjergji?-Good.

-Are you done for the day?-Yes.

Whats going on?

Today I was at the hospital.

I saw that girlIve told you about.

I went by,but I lost my nerve.

How do you explain that?

That needs maturity.

This week shes atthe blood donation center.

I dont mind donating blood, but...

...I need some moral support.

Come with me to the hospital.

-When, today?-Now. Imagine that I'm sick.

-Sherif, Im sorry.-Did you change your mind?

Perhaps its betterif I go on my own.

Ill give it a try.

You could wait for me here.-Ill take a bus, its no big deal, but...

...since Im here,can't I see what shes like?

-Youll get to see her.-Good luck.

How come youre here?

Im a lab technicianduring the day.

What about at night?

At night, Im on call.

So, you work double shifts.

Usually yes.

My mother is very sick,shes been hospitalized here.

Shes been admitted here?

What is she suffering from?

Its serious.

Where?

Oncology, your fathers ward.

Can I be of any help?

Youve slimmed down.

Since earlier today?

Since last time I was here.

You have to stay stillfor ten minutes.

Branko!

Branko!

Have you been missing me?

I came to save the nationwith clean, youthful blood.

There was a goodlooking girl here today...

Youve refined yourmethods at the hospital.

Shes one of my students.

I know.

How are things at the pharmacy?

It's quiet, as usual.

Have you looked fora new apartment yet?

There are plenty.

I dont understand howyou can do nothing all day!

Look at your swollen face.

When did you wake up?

Are the papers ready for themonth-end closing?

No, you know thatI cant do it by myself.

OK.

Ill be there as soonas I have a moment.

Let me show you something.

Hamlet...

Hamlet...

Hamlet...

Whats this about?

A patient left it.

I put it here becauseit is against the rules.

Do you want it?

What for?

Take it to the pharmacy.

Im not a five year old.

Fine, take it home,to wake you up!

I have things to do.

Stop wasting your time.

-Hello.-Hello.

Apologies if Im late.

No, I was here early.

-How are you doing?-Fine.

Your father is an extraordinary man.

Yesterday we spoke on the phone.

He gave me your number because,he thought I should talk to you.

I know youve been abroad,but where did you study?

In America.

Where Kim Gordonand Lou Reed come from.

Who else is from America?

Malcolm X.

Duffy Duck.

Mickey Mouse.

Youve studied pharmacology?

Pharmacology.

When did you return?

About a year and a half ago.

Your mother was my professor.

She was a great person...

We were all verysorry when it happened...

...so suddenly.

Thank you.

As I said on the phone,we are working on an article...

...about the medicinaldrug crisis in hospitals.

If you have anything to add...

...feel free...

...we wont mention your name.

Ive gathered datawhich Ive prepared for publishing...

...but it needs to be verified,since its sources are numerous...

...if you think something is unclear,please let me know.

No problem.

Then, Ill start.

Because of the scarcityof medicinal drugs in hospitals...

...hospital patients have resortedto pharmacies...

...where they buy drugswith their own expenses.

It is estimated that each year there arearound 350,000 chronically ill people...

...who are hospitalized or inconstant treatment, in our country.

Many powerful pharmaceutical firmshave found suitable terrain...

...for increasing their profits, by bribinghospital or primary care physicians...

...who advertise medicationsmarketed by these firms...

...medications which are on the list ofrefundables, but who are still very expensive.

The pressure to use these medicationsis enormous.

The pressure is concealed,because the patients...

...are led by their doctorsto buy expensive medications...

...marketed by powerfulpharmaceutical corporations.

According to pharmacists, the scarcityof drugs hasnt led to excessive pricing.

Yet, exploitation isnot imponderable.

In most pharmacies,medications are offered at market prices...

...even when they are refundable.

Despite the fact that all citizensare legally entitled to refunds...

...in many cases, pharmaciesoffer the medications at full price.

Citizens are thus forced to pay,despite being insured.

The patients whoare cared for in hospitals...

...particularly in the big cities...

...fall victim to the drug market,in terms of pricing.

This has become apparentas hospitals are experiencing...

...a notable lack of medicinal drugs.

Profiting from this situation,the physicians recommend to the patients...

...even the pharmacieswhere they can buy the drugs...

...convincing them...

...that these are the only places,where the medications can be found.

According to citizens, who areobliged to go to these pharmacies...

...the pharmacies belongto the doctors who are examining...

...or providing other services for them.

Are you aware that a largenumber of pharmacies...

...are owned by physicians...

...and because of the lackof medications in hospitals...

...these white coats...

...oblige their patients to buymedications in their own pharmacies?

When you were a baby, we'd take youon strolls at this park right here.

We had a half broken stroller.

Once, you fell from your stroller...

...you had a bump on your head.

Ive heard thatstory a hundred times...

It's obvious that you have beenirresponsible parents.

Well see what happenswhen you become a parent.

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