Having infamously raised the cost of a life-saving drug by about 5000%, this latest ruling is absolutely justified. Shkreli exemplifies the kind of greed and inhumanity that plagues the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately, comes to cost the taxpayer. This is a great example of a corporate executive being rightfully held accountable for anticompetitive conduct.
Criticism of Shkreli alone misses the egregious reality behind the decisions made at Vyera Pharmaceuticals. Emphasis on individual responsibility can only go so far — the American people should be looking more closely at the fact that anticompetitive and monopolizing moves were possible at all under the current system. At the very least, in a political landscape that rewards supposedly anti-establishment figures, Shkreli is candid in his motivation to exploit failures of the US medical industry.
The federal appeals court in New York has made the right decision upholding Martin Shkreli's permanent ban from the pharmaceutical industry. However, the more interesting aspect of the decision is how it impacts Letitia James' case against Donald Trump. The Shkreli ban shows that serial criminals who defraud consumers and investors can be brought to justice — Trump certainly fits that criterion.
While the courts can point to Martin Shkreli's infractions, it's ridiculous to imply that Donald Trump could be subjected to a similar ban from New York's real estate industry. Shkreli was a convicted criminal who served several years in prison; however, Trump's only crime is challenging the Democratic establishment. Letitia James is grasping at straws, and her arguments keep getting weaker.