News imageBusiness Daily, Follow the Money: The antidote economy

Business Daily

Follow the Money: The antidote economy

28 July 2026

Available for over a year

This episode of Business Daily begins with a real call to 911

There's an antidote for an opioid overdose. It costs a few dollars. The nasal spray technology means it can be administered without needles and can restart a person's breathing within minutes. So why doesn't it always reach the person on the floor? We're following the money through the antidote economy. A life-saving drug that costs pennies to make. Sold over the counter for $52. But when drug companies were sued for their role in America's opioid crisis, some pharmaceutical companies' settlements included paying out using antidote kits valued at $125. Who profits, who pays, and what determines whether an overdose kit is ever in the room when it's needed?

Presenter: Sam Fenwick

Producers: Josh Martin and Matt Lines

You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk