One hundred fifty years ago people may have dreamed about drugs that could cure cancer. They didn't even have drugs that could cure an infected toenail.
If Americans really want to show those evil drug companies who's boss, they will simply refuse to buy any drugs developed in the US. Russia, China, India, and maybe Venezuela will step in and pick up the slack.
The drug I take costs my insurance company $300 per day. It's the only drug approved by the FDA for my condition which only occurs with 5000 people per year nationwide. If it wasn't for the fact that this drug cures many other types of disease, I probably couldn't get it at any price.
Apparently anybody is free to start their own company, begin manufacturing the very expensive drug mentioned in the article, and make a fortune. What a great country.
That is the the problem, they are NOT free to do so.
One company owns the patent. They are the only ones who can make it.
Why a 40 year old drug is under patent is a good question.