[the]

"I guess we're going to have to drive up to get them, or take the bus," Solomon said.

While they are up there, they should pick up a new car, too.

NAFTA, socialism, trial lawyers, drug companies and federal bureaucrats -- A poly-pharmacy combination more deadly than what killed Elvis.

[bat-boy]

The government forbids its citizens from getting cheaper drugs across the border, while at the same time trying to pass free prescription medicine payed for by taxpayers.

How many believe this is coincidental?

Semper Suo

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Any vendor would like to sell his product for what that product is worth to the individual. Thus, while a peon might be willing/able to pay only a few cents for an asperin, Bill Gates would undoubtedly pay $100 to cure a common headache if he had to.

The idea of pricing a product differently in different countries is therefore quite understandable. And the other factor in the equation is the wildcat nature of pharmaceutical development. It is one thing to investigate the actual cost of developing a particular drug, even considering the cost of obtaining FDA certification for it. It is quite another to face up to the cost of weeding out the pharmaceuticals for the intended purpose which did not pan out.

The generic drug manufacturer is actually a second-guesser who tells you how economically a given drug can be produced and distributed but says nothing about which drug should be tested, developed, and produced and distributed.

The practical implication of socialism is that the development of new products is unnecessary. Those who are aware of the odds on getting Alzheimer's Disease if you live to be 85 (about 40%), might not think standing pat is such a wonderful idea!

As questionable as the practice of attempting to milk Gates for $100 for an asperin may be, somebody has to pony up for the development of new medicines.

[RJCogburn]

Why must we need presciptions to buy drugs in the first place?

[niki]

Gee, I feel so much better knowing the nannies are protecting me.