I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of incurable blood cancer, in 2014, and, after a stem-cell transplant and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, I was put on several maintenance drugs.

Because of an error in billing early in my treatment, I accidentally received a bill for one of these drugs: $26,000 for two months’ worth. Even after Medicare pays 95 percent of the bill, my monthly co-pay was $800.

In a panic, I called the drug company for help, and they gave me a list of charity organizations that I could petition for assistance.

Some may argue that this is the cost of developing new drugs. However, this miracle drug was actually a derivative of Thalidomide, a pre-natal medication from the 1960s that many might remember because it was found to cause birth defects and was taken off the market. Scientists later discovered that one of its side effects was that it prevented the growth of certain cancer cells. So an enterprising pharmaceutical company bought the patent, and after changing hands a few times, it was given a new label … and a new price tag, to be paid by the patient first, then the insurance company, then generous donors hoping to fight cancer.

As you read this, and fight the feeling of disbelief and revulsion as I still do, you will inevitably ask yourself: How could this blatantly unethical business practice be allowed? Who is responsible?

Well, not to put too fine a point to it, you are responsible. The pharmaceutical industry has enjoyed the lucrative benefits of drastic deregulation for many years. Last year, they even got a big tax break, too.

So if you are the sort who believes, as I once did, that any government regulation is bad, please give generously to charity. It’s the least you can do.

Glenn Selwood

Westbrook