Oceander writes:
"So why are prices so different? Are other countries imposing price controls? Then we're not paying for research, we're paying to subsidize other peoples' socialism."
Hmmmmmm......
Lemmmmeeeeesssseeee here....
If "other countries" were imposing price controls on the drugs from American pharma firms, forcing them to sell their product below manufacturing costs, then why would any company (at least a company that wished to make a profit) sell them any product at all?
Because that company would lose money on every single tablet or dose it sold.
Not a good business plan.
So... seems to me that the companies which are doing business in these "other countries", are making profits as a result of the business they conduct. And the profits they're earning are substantial enough to justify the "cost of doing business" in those countries.
Would you suggest that our government is forcing the pharma companies to do business in other countries, as well as here?
What this suggests is that prices are fixed higher HERE "just because".
...Because they can charge a much higher price, and get away with it.
...Because the government protects them by limiting the sources from which YOU can buy prescription drugs.
After all, if you need what they're sellin', where else ya gonna get it from?
(When the law here says you can't order from the foreign pharmacies)
Oceander, I surmise from your posting history that you fancy yourself as one who promotes "the free market".
Insofar as the pharma trade goes, shouldn't we at least HAVE one?
