Tag Archive for drug

Why Drug Prices are so High

October 18, 2019 Comments Off on Why Drug Prices are so High

A new drug enters the market with a 20-year monopoly before a generic version of it can be sold.  This is the time period in which the pharmaceutical company recoups the amount it spent in developing the drug.  In other words, unlike your small business, they get to  charge a high price for that little pill until they break even.  If that’s the case, why don’t they drop the price after 20 years?  The answer is simple: more profits.

Yes, a generic company can make a cheaper version and challenge the 20-year window through the FDA.  It’s really a patent challenge, claiming that there’s a flaw in the patent or it isn’t valid for some other reason.  Of course, the big-pharma company counter-sues  leading to lengthy and expensive litigation.  If they think they might lose or don’t want to take the chance, they just settle it all with an agreement that the generic company will drop the suit and hold off introducing their more affordable pill, and, in exchange, big-pharma will pay them a tidy sum.  Everybody wins, right?

Wait a minute.  What about us consumers who depend on the medicine, especially people who, because of the expense, must often choose between life-saving medications and food or rent?  And doesn’t that also add to the high costs of our medical system?  Mmmmmmmmm.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , ,

Medical Question

August 27, 2018 Comments Off on Medical Question

Every once in awhile something strikes me as particularly odd. Today is one of those days.

I’m used to all the warnings included in drug commercials and have always wondered about if I’d take the chance of acquiring one of those conditions they warn about or even die if I took their drug.

Now they’ve all added a warning: “Do not take [their drug] if you are allergic to it.”

What???!!!   Why would we?

Duh!

Uncategorized , , , , ,

Drug Interaction Tool

May 16, 2018 Comments Off on Drug Interaction Tool

You were just prescribed a new medication. Is it compatible with other meds you’re taking? Or is there a possible reaction that would interfere with one of your other meds or otherwise affect your health? Doctors are not always on top of what you’ve been prescribed, especially if you have more than one physician. Besides, it’s been many years since they took a course in pharmacology.

Your doctor tries to watch out for you.  So does your pharmacist. It doesn’t hurt, though, if you look out for yourself, as well.

AARP has an easy way to help you do that.  Try their Drug Interaction Checker.  Be safe.

 

Uncategorized , , , ,

Not So Unusual but Should Be

July 25, 2017 2 comments

Ohio executed Dennis McGuire over three years ago.  It took him 25 minutes to die, during which time he snorted loudly and gasped several times.  Is this “cruel and unusual punishment”?  The courts looked at the case, then agreed to let Ohio resume executions using the same drug combination.  Despite the fact that the drug that’s supposed to render the person unconscious didn’t do so in many cases, leaving the condemned writing in pain for long periods (like McGuire’s 25 minutes).

Now Ohio is about to carry out a quick series of 27 more executions using that same drug combination, making the practice definitely cruel and, unfortunately, not unusual.

With all the studies showing that the death penalty is not a deterrent, is far more expensive than life-without-parole, and can’t be carried out humanely, no wonder support is widespread in the U.S. for discontinuing this practice.  When are we going to make our laws catch up to our reason?

Uncategorized , , , ,

Don’t Be a Drug-Hoarder

April 26, 2014 Comments Off on Don’t Be a Drug-Hoarder

Stop accumulating those drugs!  Today is National Drug Take-Back Day.  Gather all your left-over prescriptions, drugs that you don’t need, and ones that are outdated (no needles/injectable pens, aerosols, or liquids). Take them to a local collection site to be disposed of properly.  Call your local police department to find a location.

Medications don’t have to be in their original containers.  Also, you just drop them off–no questions about who you are or where you got them.

This cleans out your medicine cabinet, safeguards young children in your family, and prevents the drugs from pollution and poisoning, which happens when drugs are flushed down the toilet or tossed into the garbage.

Do this as soon as you read this, because collections are only from 10:00 am to 2 pm today.

And mark your calendar for this day next year.

 

 

Uncategorized , , ,

Why that Rx Costs So Much

March 25, 2013 Comments Off on Why that Rx Costs So Much

A new drug enters the market with a 20-year monopoly before a generic version of it can be sold.  This is the time period in which the pharmaceutical company recoups the amount it spent in developing the drug.  In other words, unlike your small business, they get to  charge a high price for that little pill until they break even.  If that’s the case, why don’t they drop the price after 20 years?  The answer is simple: more profits.

Yes, a generic company can make a cheaper version and challenge the 20-year window through the FDA.  It’s really a patent challenge, claiming that there’s a flaw in the patent or it isn’t valid for some other reason.  Of course, the big-pharma company counter-sues  leading to lengthy and expensive litigation.  If they think they might lose or don’t want to take the chance, they just settle it all with an agreement that the generic company will drop the suit and hold off introducing their more affordable pill, and, in exchange, big-pharma will pay them a tidy sum.  Everybody wins, right?

Wait a minute.  What about us consumers who depend on the medicine, especially people who, because of the expense, must often choose between life-saving medications and food or rent?  And doesn’t that also add to the high costs of our medical system?  Mmmmmmmmm.

Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Medicare Care & Cost for 2013

January 14, 2013 2 comments

Medicare will be more user-friendly this year.  The Affordable Care Act addressed several problems the older generation was having with the program.  In 2013, these provisions kick in.

One is free preventative services (including help to stop smoking) to make us healthier.  Also, we’ll get a much clearer summary of benefits (larger print, understandable language, definitions of terms used). It will contain other useful information, as well, like how to read it and report what we feel is fraud.  Next, the “donut hole” that people who use the prescription drug plan have been facing shrinks.  It will take another seven years to close, but at least it’s getting smaller.  In addition, mental health coverage is increasing.  If you go to a psychiatrist, for example, your co-pay will be less, and many of the prescriptions he writes for you to treat your mental disorder will now be covered.

Of course, with all the improvements to the program, we’ll have to pay a little more this year.  Our premiums will increase by a few dollars per month.  However, I think those few dollars added up for a year will be a small amount compared to what I would have had to pay for the added services, meaning I’ll save money and get better care.  I like that idea.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , ,