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Originally Posted by $5 submissions
US pricing is outrageous. Pharma companies say it's all about "recouping research costs". I understand. That's necessary but the price differences are fucked up. Oh well, is it fair to bitch about pricing because if prices were lowered they'd claim that it DISINCENTIVIZES research and innovation.....?
You guys agree with that line of argument....?
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Most of the argument that they are recouping costs is bunk. Most new drugs are just improved versions of older drugs. Add in the fact that much of the actual research on different drugs is done by government funded research centers. Sure, these companies still do put money into research, but they spend far more on marketing.
Take this for example. I use an medicine called albuterol. It is an asthma inhaler. Last year 1 inhaler cost better $9-$12 depending on where I bought it. They modified the inhaler because the propellant that was used in it had CFCs. This meant they had to get a non CFC propellant (just like hair spray, spray paint or any aerosol has had to do.) the cost went from $9-$12 each up to $32-$49 each. The only thing they changed is the propellant and they tripled the price. But I didn't see the cost of spray paint, hair spray or air in a can to clean your computer triple in price.
They charge this much because they can. They also have two different prices. One is for insurance companies and one is a cash price. Say you have a $10 co-pay on prescriptions and the insurance tells the pharmacy the max they will pay for that prescription is $60. Then the pharmacy charges you $70 for it. You pay $10 and your insurance pays the other $60. Then someone without insurance comes in and buys the exact same medicine and pays with cash and they charge them $95+ for the same thing. IMO things like that shouldn't be allowed. If a company was selling TV's to one group of people for one price, the overcharging another group for the same product they would be investigated.
The sad part is that it won't be changing any time soon