Drug pricing is getting out of hand.

[fncceo]

The entire American healthcare system is broken. The point is profits,

If they are making a profit, the system is clearly not broken.

 

[WinterBorn]

If they are making a profit, the system is clearly not broken.

I guess that depends on whether your goal is a profitable business or a healthy population.

 

[fncceo]

I guess that depends on whether your goal is a profitable business or a healthy population.

Without a profitable business, there are no medicines, no medical equipment, or medical supplies to supply a healthy population.

Pharmaceuticals require years (and millions of dollars) in research and testing. No company can be expected to invest the time and money it requires to develop medical cures without the hope of recouping that investment.

 

[Donald H]

I have seen it both public and private hospitals. Canada mandates that no prescription drug in Canada can cost less than the worldwide average price for that drug. Seems fair to me. It is insulting that US drug manufacturers sell prescription drugs in foreign countries cheaper than here.

It's the American citizen in fact that insults themselves. They allow big pharma to lobby the corrupt politicians.

I've never paid for meds in a hospital.

 

[fncceo]

They allow big pharma to lobby the corrupt politicians.

You've got several carts in front of the metaphorical horse.

The problem isn't businesses (large or small). The problem is we tolerate a system where politicians actually have so much influence over commerce that businesses MUST pay politicians to stay in business. Those politicians we elect every term and the laws we allow them to enact that enriches them are corrupt, not the business men who have to pay.

If you actually want to do something about corruption, other than whine about it, then take away the influence politicians have over businesses and they will have nothing to be corrupted for.

"When buying and selling are legislated, the first thing to be bought and sold are legislators"

-- P.J. O'Rourke

 

[amethyst]

Goodrx.

https://www.goodrx.com/go/homepage-lander-sem-7?utm_campaign=140564372&utm_content=1521923620&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=kwd-29266226660:loc-190&&msclkid=3102bb0d3d701ee49e56d90bf662f83c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand&utm_term=goodrx&utm_content=goodrx&gclid=CNmMs9TC-PUCFcXnHwody-MNMw&gclsrc=ds

 

[amethyst]

Costco's price is usually lower usually lower.

 

[RodISHI]

Oh hell, hospitals are even worse. So, you get in a bed, the first thing the damn nurse does is go over your meds. If you are staying overnight and on Medicare, then Medicare Part A pays for those prescriptions, and by law, BY FUCKING LAW, they can't negotiate a lower price. And the hospital doesn't give two shits if you brought your meds with you. They bill you for every single pill you are suppose to take, rather they dispense it or not. And holy hell, the blood pressure meds I was bitching about, seven dollars a month, the hospital probably bills Medicare twenty freakin bucks a day, making that 1000% markup at CVS look like a damn bargain.

And I understand the tax writeoff for inflated charges that are not paid. But the reality is, even if they collect only half the amount they bill from the uninsured, they are coming out ahead. I mean it is a fawking racket. The damn Mafia wished they had it this good.

I just checked the cost of a prescription I need and the pills in the USA are over five hundred dollars each in US but over the border they are two dollars to three dollars a piece.

 

[RodISHI]

The entire American healthcare system is broken. The point is profits, not care provided.

A good friend of mine had his shoulder replaced. Orthopedic surgery, not open heart multiple organ transplants. One outpatient surgery and 4 weeks of physical therapy.

Luckily his medicare and his Part B covered all but $94. But the two bills he has received so far totalled almost $250,000.

BTW, our tax dollars are paying that quarter of a million for one patient for one procedure.

That isn't actually lucky as the cost bite us all in the long term. I had two options for a procedure needed and one of those required a hospital stay and surgery and the other no open surgery but in and out the same day. Big difference in cost on a three day hospital stay vs in and out with a more up to date procedure but we have a three hour drive vs a one hour one. I do not have to pay the bill directly but know long term yes it will cost us thus chose the more affordable option.

 

[Colin norris]

I just checked the cost of a prescription I need and the pills in the USA are over five hundred dollars each in US but over the border they are two dollars to three dollars a piece.

Well, you all refuse government health care and let big med run wild because you hate socialism. Suffer it.

 

[JustAGuy1]

Look kids, Obambi MANDATED that 80 cents of EVERY dollar go to claims. Where are they making money?