When I asked a rep I was told that Americans are better able to pay more so that research continues. Unfortunately this Glaxo was also giving clocks, wooden picture frames and expensive pens to everyone in the office.
Canadian Health System Bureaucrat (CHSB) That's a nice cardiac drug you have there.
Drug Company Officer(DCO) Thanks. We're very proud. 10 years of hard work and $800 million to bring it to market
(CHSB)$20 per pill seems a bit high, I heard the ingredients only cost you $1
(DCO)That's true, but the other $19 helps pay for the huge investment we made.
(CHSB)We'll give you $2 a pill.
(DCO)Excuse me? The 2 previous attempts failed, and they cost another $500 million.
(CHSB)$2.
(DCO)No thanks.
(CHSB)Then we'll let our generic manufacturer copy it and you'll get nothing.
(DCO)We'll "allow" you to rape us, but can you agree not to export the pills you've stolen from us you've so cleverly negotiated for? We need to recoup our investment somehow.
(CHSB)Okay.
Fade to black
If you insist on getting your meds for the $2 Canadian price, I guess you'll save some money. Hopefully every drug you'll ever need has already been discovered.