Big Pharma, Meet Big Media

[Big_Bill]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Not to say that pharmaceutical manufacturers do no research but most of the real research is done by the NIH, CDC and American universities (with government funding). Much of the research that pharma does is figuring out how to change one molecule or one ingredient in a particular product, without materially affecting its efficacy, so that they can get a patent on a "new" drug. They do this when the patent on one of their drugs is about to expire or when they want to cut into the market share of a competitor with a "hot" new drug.

John

Well John,

I would start writing the FDA, after all they approve all new drugs. And if they are approving drugs like that, then call your Representatives and tell them to stop the FDA from doing business in that manner.

[merrylander]

Anyone who requires prescription drugs can tell you that the caosts have risen at three or four times the rate of inflation.

And was it not strange that Prilosec was a prescription drug until the patent ran out then it became available over the counter.

As to complaining to the FDA you would be better of shouting up a dead horse's arse, they are in the pocket of Big Pharma. Remember how they tried to stop people from bringing the same drugs, made by the same companies, in from Canada saying we could not trust them, utter bullshit. Florence's BP prescription just increased from $400 for a 90 day supply to $500.

In the 19th century doctors used leeches to bleed their patients, now they use Big Pharma.

What we really need to do is take all the higher management from Big Pharma and throw the lot of them in jail.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Big_Bill

Well John,

I would start writing the FDA, after all they approve all new drugs. And if they are approving drugs like that, then call your Representatives and tell them to stop the FDA from doing business in that manner.

From exactly where do you think our representatives get the money for election time?

[Big_Bill]

Originally Posted by merrylander

From exactly where do you think our representatives get the money for election time?

That is why I posted this post Merrylander, and you answered all the questions !

Everyone has their hands out, and they are greedy and want all that they can get.

[piece-itpete]

D, I tend to agree, but how does one fix it without killing the golden goose?

Pete

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

D, I tend to agree, but how does one fix it without killing the golden goose?

Pete

Tighten up the Patent Laws. I think price controls would be in order too. The pharmacological research is already largely socialized to the benefit of the drug companies. The drug companies also benefit from billions of medicare and other government dollars going to purchase medications. That should justify some influence in pricing.

Regards,

D-Ray

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Big_Bill

That is why I posted this post Merrylander, and you answered all the questions !

Everyone has their hands out, and they are greedy and want all that they can get.

Well there is some hanky panky going on with the middlemen (God that's all this country does - middlemen). Florence phoned the new Walgren's that opened about a year ago - same prescription the old drugstore wanted $500 for Walgren's will sell it to her for $283.

So it is not only the foreign Pharmas but our own countrymen screwing us. I guess I was right, this place does run on the Jack System.

Oops my error it is the new Wegmans that just opened here, not Walgren's

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Tighten up the Patent Laws. I think price controls would be in order too. The pharmacological research is already largely socialized to the benefit of the drug companies. The drug companies also benefit from billions of medicare and other government dollars going to purchase medications. That should justify some influence in pricing.

Regards,

D-Ray

The government lets the VA negotiate price with the drug companies but would not let them do so under Medicare Part D.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Tighten up the Patent Laws. I think price controls would be in order too. The pharmacological research is already largely socialized to the benefit of the drug companies. The drug companies also benefit from billions of medicare and other government dollars going to purchase medications. That should justify some influence in pricing.

Regards,

D-Ray

While we're at it, we could amend Medicare Part D.

John

[piece-itpete]

"...

It says the White House agreed to oppose any congressional efforts to use the government's leverage to bargain for lower drug prices or import drugs from Canada -- and also agreed not to pursue Medicare rebates or shift some drugs from Medicare Part B to Medicare Part D, which would cost Big Pharma billions in reduced reimbursements.

..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_258285.html

Pete