This is 99% Invisible. I'm Roman Mars. For every disease, illness, or discomfort, there is a drug.

There are so many drugs, drugs that seemingly work miracles and change the world, and drugs that are

put in the service of fighting a malady for decades, only to learn much too late,

that they have almost no effect at all.

You could tell the story of the world through the drugs we take and the diseases they are designed to manage.

This is what the new podcast, Drug Story, is all about.

On the show, creator and host Thomas Getz tells the story of the disease business,

one drug at a time.

Each episode explores one disease and one drug.

Drugs end up being an incredible lens to view our world.

This week, we are featuring an episode of Drug Story, an independent documentary journalism

podcast, the kind of podcast you just don't hear about anymore

and one that deserves your full attention.

It is so good.

I've listened to every episode.

Here's one of my favorites.

Imagine living with constant itching that never stops, or slowly losing your sight, not because of age, but because of a simple fly bite.

That is the reality of oncocychosis, also known as river blindness.

One small tablet of ivermectin,

taking once or twice a year,

helps stop transmission and protect entire communities.

This is how itching stops.

...