A more apt question is why the US Government allows a pharmaceutical company to charge $140,000 per patient a year for a medication.
Until we fix that, we will continue to see this sort of thing - and not just in Europe.
> A more apt question is why the US Government allows a pharmaceutical company to charge $140,000 per patient a year for a medication. <
It’s a difficult situation. Something like 90% of all new drug trials fail, leaving the companies involved with a financial loss. So why do these companies take the risk? It’s because of that last 10%.
Clamp down too hard, and pharmaceutical companies will simply shut down their research departments. That would be a tragedy.
On the other hand, it doesn’t seem right that only the rich can access some of these new drugs. Where’s the middle ground? Maybe the government could help fund promising new drug research. (But oh, do I hate to see the government get involved in private commerce. That usually doesn’t end well.)
I'm sorry, Mr. jhastey, but you seem under-qualified to be a FReeper.
Please apply at DU - you seem a perfect fit.
“A more apt question is why the US Government allows a pharmaceutical company to charge $140,000 per patient a year for a medication.”
Sorry, my copy of the US Constitution doesn’t say a word about the Federal Government having the specific enumerated power to control the price of goods.
L