Ars Technica has the story of a 10-year-old girl who, while on a hike at a summer camp in Indiana last July, was suspected to have been bitten by a copperhead snake. Copperhead snakes are poisonous, and the camp counselors were quick to act and secure treatment.

The girl was given four vials of snake bite anti-venom and released within 24 hours. It was a happy ending for this young girl and her family. However, when the bill came, the tally for the four vials of anti-venom totaled $67,957. This was about five times more expensive than the list price of the drug. But this is what happens when medicines that seem obviously necessary for public health concerns are classed as rare.