Skip to content
ProPublica Donate
ProPublica Donate
Health Care

Wasted Medicine

Squandered Health Care Dollars

Billions of dollars are routinely wasted every day by health care providers in the United States — and it’s driving up the cost of care for all of us.

Impact of Our Reporting
Caret

Wasted Medicine

More States Hatch Plans to Recycle Drugs Being Wasted in Nursing Homes

After reading ProPublica’s story, lawmakers in Florida and New Hampshire say they plan to follow the example of an Iowa nonprofit that redistributes leftover medications to needy patients.

by Marshall Allen,

Wasted Medicine

Senators Introduce Bill to Reduce ‘Colossal and Completely Preventable Waste’

The senators cited a ProPublica story that found that drug companies have been making patients pay for oversized eyedrops and more liquid cancer medications than they need.

by Marshall Allen,

Unnecessary Medical Care Is More Common Than You Think

by Marshall Allen,

Want to Lower Health Care Costs? Stop Wasting Our Money.

by Marshall Allen,

A Prescription for Reducing Wasted Health Care Spending

by Marshall Allen,

A Hospital Charged $1,877 to Pierce a 5-Year-Old’s Ears. This Is Why Health Care Costs So Much.

by Marshall Allen,

Seven Ways Patients Can Protect Themselves From Outrageous Medical Bills

by Marshall Allen,

Drug Companies Make Eyedrops Too Big — And You Pay for the Waste

by Marshall Allen,

The Myth of Drug Expiration Dates

by Marshall Allen,

How Two Common Medications Became One $455 Million Specialty Pill

by Marshall Allen,

America’s Other Drug Problem

by Marshall Allen,

About $765 Billion Is Wasted Each Year on Health Care. Can You Help Us Find It?

by Marshall Allen,

What Hospitals Waste

Marshall Allen,