Dirty Money Season 1 Episode 9 Brite Ideas

In the ninth episode of Dirty Money season 1, titled “Brite Ideas,” the focus is on a company called Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Valeant was once a relatively small company that blended and distributed generic medications. However, with the hire of CEO Michael Pearson, Valeant began aggressively acquiring other pharmaceutical companies and raising the prices of their medications to extreme levels.

The episode explores how Valeant became known as a “serial acquirer” and the lengths they went to in order to acquire other companies. This included partnering with a specialty pharmacy called Philidor that helped Valeant sell their high-priced medication by finding loopholes in insurance policies. The episode discusses how this system of acquiring other companies and raising the prices of medications created a culture of greed within Valeant that ultimately led to their downfall.

The episode also delves into the story of a former Philidor employee named Gwen Hauser. Hauser worked as a billing specialist and began to notice discrepancies in the billing of medications at Philidor. She brought her concerns to management, but they were dismissed. This led Hauser to investigate on her own and ultimately report her findings to the FBI. The episode follows Hauser as she becomes a whistleblower and the impact this has on her personal and professional life.

“Brite Ideas” not only sheds light on the unethical practices of Valeant Pharmaceuticals but also explores the toll that corporate greed can take on individuals and society as a whole. The episode features interviews with former Valeant employees and industry experts who provide insight into the inner-workings of the pharmaceutical industry. The storytelling is gripping and informative, making this episode a must-watch for those interested in corporate ethics and the pharmaceutical industry.