John Oliver takes a close look at generic drugs, says viewers should, too

With jaw-dropping anecdotes about overseas drug companies locking infrequent FDA inspectors out so they can pour acid on damning test results and RFK Jr’s apparent mission to reduce the FDA to “one small office where a rabid bear does pull-ups all day,” Oliver could only offer up his signature story-closing advice. Simply making sure your generic meds look the same as ever can determine if there’s been a potentially deadly manufacturing change. And Oliver steered viewers to ProPublica’s free Rx Inspector site to find out just how many swarms of cats and lizards were found clambering over your drug’s ingredients during manufacturing. 

Thankfully, Oliver, in between illuminatingly funny digressions about the reliable profitability of ED drugs giving grandpas “rock-hard” erections, had some backup. Referring to an impossibly catchy 1980’s PSA where singing, puppet-y pills remind kids that they are not, in fact, delicious candy, Oliver was joined by those same chipper tablets, who, adorably squeaky voices and close harmonies still intact, sang an updated ditty about navigating your generic medication woes. Sing along, people trying to find out if their heart transplant medication is going to literally kill you!

This is serious
You don’t want your drugs to be mysterious
Yes, we’re cheaper
But we shouldn’t also cost you a peeper
Use your brains
Fix your supply chains
So we can help you!

And remember, kids, pills are not candy.