Very interesting charts on drug pricing. This is the first time I've seen that generics are cheaper in the US, and it's non-generics that are driving the average price way up for us.
Life and death, and matters that impact the quality of life for many trying to manage chronic illnesses. These tactics ensure that those that could benefit from medications do not receive them, and then go on to deal with compounding issues. High rates of amputations in populations unable to access medications for diabetes is an example of the consequences of our current system.
In the article it states, “ First, research finds Americans’ prescription drug consumption is comparable to and in some cases slightly less than that in other countries.” What it doesn’t say is are we being prescribed more drugs now as compared to 1980? It seems like every time I go to the doctor with some type of issue, the answer is “here’s a prescription.” Is this because of doctor kickbacks from companies? Is it because there are now more meds to treat symptoms? Both? As for Congress, I’d like to see why they don’t vote to do something. If someone makes an excuse against limiting drug prices take a look at their donors. Are they on big pharmaceutical companies payroll? Finally, one of the problems is inherent within our country’s economic practices. This country lives by “make money” over anything else. It’s about competition (or squashing it). Wouldn’t limiting drug costs be anti-American in that sense? I say that tongue in cheek, but there is somewhat of a Catch22 in all of this.
during the debates in early 2021 abut capping Rx drug costs someone I know suggested to Congress that instead of capping drug prices they cap the percentage PBMs can get from their negotiations. In 2021 37-42% of your Rx cost went to the PBMs. Capping their total percentage at 5-10% would reduce the cost to the consumer by about 1/3. There was also a woman from New Zealand, also addressing Congress during the debate, opposing the price cap because NZ’s national health refuses to pay for the only Rx that is available to keep her young son alive because it’s too expensive so she has to purchase it out of pocket from the US.
during the debates in early 2021 abut capping Rx drug costs someone I know suggested to Congress that instead of capping drug prices they cap the percentage PBMs can get from their negotiations. In 2021 37-42% of your Rx cost went to the PBMs. Capping their total percentage at 5-10% would reduce the cost to the consumer by about 1/3. There was also a woman from New Zealand, also addressing Congress during the debate, opposing the price cap because NZ’s national health refuses to pay for the only Rx that is available to keep her young son alive because it’s too expensive so she has to purchase it out of pocket from the US.
An impartial and independent agency to review and establish fair drug pricing sounds like a good path to take to insure fairer outcomes for the Americans needing their prescriptions to be made affordable to everyone, everywhere , in my opinion.
I hope that the powers that be that will be responsible to see this through will do the right thing for We, The People going forward by making the above referenced solution a reality.
Very interesting charts on drug pricing. This is the first time I've seen that generics are cheaper in the US, and it's non-generics that are driving the average price way up for us.
"These crows ain't loyal"
Life and death, and matters that impact the quality of life for many trying to manage chronic illnesses. These tactics ensure that those that could benefit from medications do not receive them, and then go on to deal with compounding issues. High rates of amputations in populations unable to access medications for diabetes is an example of the consequences of our current system.
In the article it states, “ First, research finds Americans’ prescription drug consumption is comparable to and in some cases slightly less than that in other countries.” What it doesn’t say is are we being prescribed more drugs now as compared to 1980? It seems like every time I go to the doctor with some type of issue, the answer is “here’s a prescription.” Is this because of doctor kickbacks from companies? Is it because there are now more meds to treat symptoms? Both? As for Congress, I’d like to see why they don’t vote to do something. If someone makes an excuse against limiting drug prices take a look at their donors. Are they on big pharmaceutical companies payroll? Finally, one of the problems is inherent within our country’s economic practices. This country lives by “make money” over anything else. It’s about competition (or squashing it). Wouldn’t limiting drug costs be anti-American in that sense? I say that tongue in cheek, but there is somewhat of a Catch22 in all of this.
Thank you for your explanation of an extremely complicated issue.
Do other countries allow marketing directly to consumers via TV, etc advertisements?
I believe only the United States and New Zealand
Canada does not allow this.
during the debates in early 2021 abut capping Rx drug costs someone I know suggested to Congress that instead of capping drug prices they cap the percentage PBMs can get from their negotiations. In 2021 37-42% of your Rx cost went to the PBMs. Capping their total percentage at 5-10% would reduce the cost to the consumer by about 1/3. There was also a woman from New Zealand, also addressing Congress during the debate, opposing the price cap because NZ’s national health refuses to pay for the only Rx that is available to keep her young son alive because it’s too expensive so she has to purchase it out of pocket from the US.
during the debates in early 2021 abut capping Rx drug costs someone I know suggested to Congress that instead of capping drug prices they cap the percentage PBMs can get from their negotiations. In 2021 37-42% of your Rx cost went to the PBMs. Capping their total percentage at 5-10% would reduce the cost to the consumer by about 1/3. There was also a woman from New Zealand, also addressing Congress during the debate, opposing the price cap because NZ’s national health refuses to pay for the only Rx that is available to keep her young son alive because it’s too expensive so she has to purchase it out of pocket from the US.
An impartial and independent agency to review and establish fair drug pricing sounds like a good path to take to insure fairer outcomes for the Americans needing their prescriptions to be made affordable to everyone, everywhere , in my opinion.
I hope that the powers that be that will be responsible to see this through will do the right thing for We, The People going forward by making the above referenced solution a reality.