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They
cited the example of the asthma drug albuterol sulfate. The average
cost for a bottle of 100 pills was $11 last October, the pair said. The
average charge by this April was up to $434.
The antibiotic doxycycline hyclate cost $20 last October for a bottle
of 500 tablets, the congressmen observed. By April, the price was
$1,849.
"Most
generics are increasing in price by an average 10% a year," said Bryan
Birch, chief executive of Truveris, a New York company that monitors
prescription drug costs. "But we've seen some popular drugs increase by
more than 650% in the last year."
He cited simvastatin, the generic equivalent of cholesterol drug Zocor,
and clomipramine hydrochloride, the generic version of antidepressant
Anafranil. Prices for each rose more than 650% from June 2013 to this
June, Birch said.
He said consumers often are unaware of such huge price hikes because
they face only a copay when they buy meds at a drugstore.
The skyrocketing costs are borne primarily by insurance companies,
which subsequently raise people's premiums to accommodate the greater
expenses, Birch said.
"Someone ends up paying the bill," he said. "Ultimately, it's
consumers."
"There
is much to be said for trying to improve some disadvantaged people's
lot. There is nothing to be said for trying to create heaven on earth."
-- Margaret Thatcher
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only two or three manufacturers now make some generic meds.,
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to anti trust laws? Banks as well as pharmaceuticals have become so big, they can manipulate manufactured goods, commodity and money markets.
...even with widespread use of generics, Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs.
Could it be just as the American taxpayer will subsidize Captain Bullshit's 'outreach' to commie Cuba, Americans are also subsidizing lower drug prices outside America? I'd bet on it.
Lt. Col. Gen. Tailgunner dick
So much for the "Affordable" care bullshit that The Ayatollah and his toadies in Congress forced on us a couple of years ago. And we keep electing these sonsabitches! Scottiebill
ReplyDeleteThe prices and lack of completion are the result of lawsuits and government intervention.
ReplyDeleteTim
We used to keep Tetracycline on hand. It was one of the most common, readily available and least costly antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteBut the price has skyrocketed for about $20 to $400.
Everything I can find indicates the increase was driven by government policies.