[Irenic]

http://www.examiner.com/article/humana-and-wal-mart-team-up-for-humanavitality-members-healthy-food-needs

Big Phrma is in on Obamacare, too. It is almost like government is tying us up with a big ribbon as a gift for some businesses. I am sure Unions will benefit as well.

[Lou L]

I know of a pharma company in town that paid 650 million last year, and another 500 million this year, as a rebate to help "close the donut hole" that currently exists in the Medicare Part D program. This is just as about every other pharma company is paying--a "fee" stemming from Obamacare.

It is true that some pharma companies believe they're going to benefit from increased access, but the IPAB will take care of that. Low-cost, early-generation generic drugs will be the first line of treatment for filling prescriptions. Instead of newer antibiotics whose course of treatment can be finished with the minimal number of capsules, in a short number of days, we'll have to take those 10 and 12-day treatments, popping 4 or more capsules per day. Instead of more modern chemo treatments being received sooner after diagnosis, the patient will have to undergo the older, more harsh forms.

Generic companies will prosper, becuase they have nothing tied up in R&D costs. "Big Pharma," however, the lifeblood of the most innovative medicines, will take a back seat. Hopefully, they'll be able to survive.