What drugs really cost you...

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
400 mil to get the FDA to approve the drug?? What, so drug companies buy approval? Is that how the FDA works!?

No, one has to prove to the FDA that a drug is both safe and effective. The cost of doing this is around $400 million dollars.

So why do we (the US) have to foot the bill when they sell the same drugs to other countries for a fraction of the cost? Let THEM carry the R&D costs, or at least a fair percentage of them!

Please define a fair percentage of the cost.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
The price of drugs in this country is sinful.

The Feds should step in and force them the price them "fairly"!

what is "fairly"?

when you and FFMCobaly know how the system works a little better, maybe you can start criticizing yet. Until then, posting inflammatory emails and hyperbole is just going to make you another internet whiner.

:roll: Don't fvck up the thread. Put out the flames please.

 

[clamum]

Damn! I thought this was other about (narcotic) drugs, although is actually quite related.

The powerful, widely known and abused painkiller, Oxycontin, might cost say almost $200 with no insurance for a prescription of ~60 20mg pills. That's about $.17/mg. On the street they go for $1/mg! Now there's another markup! :|

Although the email is partially correct, as stated, they seemingly ignored the r&d cost, which 'minor' details like that that tend to be forgotten in these stupid chain emails!

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Mwilding
1. that doesn't factor in the cost of the process to turn those raw materials into drugs.
2. that doesn't factor in the requirement to recoup the $400 million dollars it took to get the FDA to approve the drug.
3. $400 million

From Snopes, point 1:
Fluoxetine HCL (the generic for Prozac), which wholesales for $1.48, varied in retail price from a high of $92.24 to a low of $9.69 just within the Detroit area.

That wholesale price takes into account cost to process/make the drugs.It's quite a lot more than the raw ingredients ($0.11 according to the OP), but a lot less than the price for the consumer.
As for 2&3, probably not 100% true.
Most of the money probably goes into the $400 million research for the next drug.

(If it really costs $400 million then that's even more ludicrous than the cost they are sold for)

So, you blame retail price gouging on the manufacturers?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
400 mil to get the FDA to approve the drug?? What, so drug companies buy approval? Is that how the FDA works!?

No, one has to prove to the FDA that a drug is both safe and effective. The cost of doing this is around $400 million dollars.

So why do we (the US) have to foot the bill when they sell the same drugs to other countries for a fraction of the cost? Let THEM carry the R&D costs, or at least a fair percentage of them!

Please define a fair percentage of the cost.

An equal cost across the board. Go anywhere in the world and be able to buy that company's drug for the same price within a reasonable margin.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
So why do we (the US) have to foot the bill when they sell the same drugs to other countries for a fraction of the cost? Let THEM carry the R&D costs, or at least a fair percentage of them!

Because a lot of them can't even afford to buy them at break-even prices. Why doesn't Chevy sell the Cavalier for $50k? Because no one would buy it!

Besides, not all that many people in the US pay full price for these drugs - they just pay their co-pay. It's a silly little game between the pharma companies and the insurance racket.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
400 mil to get the FDA to approve the drug?? What, so drug companies buy approval? Is that how the FDA works!?

No, one has to prove to the FDA that a drug is both safe and effective. The cost of doing this is around $400 million dollars.

So why do we (the US) have to foot the bill when they sell the same drugs to other countries for a fraction of the cost? Let THEM carry the R&D costs, or at least a fair percentage of them!

Please define a fair percentage of the cost.

An equal cost across the board. Go anywhere in the world and be able to buy that company's drug for the same price within a reasonable margin.

boondockistan approves any drug with a Phase II trial with positive results. Why should their consumers subsidize the $150 million spent on Phase III trials to obtain US approval?

 

[Viper GTS]

First off, as others have said drug companies exist for one purpose: To make money.

Second, who actually pays the prices in that list?

For example:

Claritin, 10 mg, $215.17, $0.71, 30,306%

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=83431&catid=12203

I bought a similar bottle (100 tablets) for ~$20 locally.

Third, the cost of materials is a miniscule portion of the cost of the product. How do you think Microsoft/Adobe get off charging hundreds of dollars for a single disc of software?

Keep the government the hell out, there's a reason the US has the world's best healthcare - There's an incentive for companies and individuals to produce new/better treatments.

BTW, everytime one of these threads comes up the idiots come out of the woodwork. Gas, drugs, software, nobody seems to have a freaking clue how the real world works.

Viper GTS

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

BTW, everytime one of these threads comes up the idiots come out of the woodwork. Gas, drugs, software, nobody seems to have a freaking clue how the real world works.

Viper GTS

I guess I don't. I haven't read "The World For Dummies" yet like you seem to have.

 

[PingSpike]

The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

 

BTW, everytime one of these threads comes up the idiots come out of the woodwork. Gas, drugs, software, nobody seems to have a freaking clue how the real world works.

Viper GTS

So living out in the sticks provided you with this insight?

 

[Jzero]

Economics For Dummies
I wasn't expecting anything useful, but this is actually not too shabby.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
BTW, everytime one of these threads comes up the idiots come out of the woodwork. Gas, drugs, software, women, cars, nobody seems to have a freaking clue how the real world works.

Viper GTS

Amen, and fixed.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

 

[Brutuskend]

Well as one who has NO HEALTH INSURANCE, and NO HELP in BUYING drugs, it fries my ass that people in other countries in basically the same situation CAN and DO get drugs that I can't afford.

So it's OK for the drug companies to gouge Americans since most have insurance that can pay?
And as for those who can't, fvck'em? Also, just because the insurance companies pay, doesn't mean the costs aren't deferred by higher insurance costs!:roll:

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Well as one who has NO HEALTH INSURANCE, and NO HELP in BUYING drugs, it fries my ass that people in other countries in basically the same situation CAN and DO get drugs that I can't afford.

So it's OK for the drug companies to gouge Americans since most have insurance that can pay?
And as for those who can't, fvck'em? Also, just because the insurance companies pay, doesn't mean the costs aren't deferred by higher insurance costs!:roll:

Supply and Demand can bite you in the ass...

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Fausto
Snopes says "yes"!

This chart has little relevance (other than an inflammatory one), as far more goes into the retail pricing of drugs than the raw cost of their active ingredients. Pharmaceutical companies have to cover the large research and development costs of creating the drugs, as well as the overhead costs of manufacturing, marketing, and shipping them; retail pharmacies have to cover the overhead costs of store operations (including the salaries of pharmacists); and both groups have to make a profit from their sales.

Your reading comprehension sucks.

The list is bullsh!t. It is the same simplistic crap as other "markup" lists that claim retail and food service ripoffs.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

I hate the ones that avoid listing side effect by not mentioning what the drug does.

Ask your doctor if penalgro is right for you.

"Doc, is penalgro right for me?"
"Well, Jzero, seeing as penalgro is use for treating rheumatoid arthritis in spider monkies, I will have to say that penalgro is not right for you. Why would you think penalgro would be right for you?"

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

There is no need for car adverts. If you want a new car, go to the dealer and see what he has for sale.
There is no need for candy bar ads. Just go to the convenience store and look at the rack.
There is no need for movie promos. Just go to the theater and ask the pre-pubescent surly teen at the counter what new movie RAWKS!

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

I find the drug adverts incredibly amusing, although I agree with you.. but, Public Relations is big. Just by knowing the name of the drug, a person is more likely to go with them.

Anyway.. LOL.. the side effects are effing hilarious sometimes. They spend the first 20 seconds hyping the drug up, and then they quickly blurt out all these side effects..

"Siezures, nausea, constpiation, "sexual side effects", etc..

It's like.. Well, at least my heartburn is gone.. but these damn siezures!

LOL!

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

There is no need for car adverts. If you want a new car, go to the dealer and see what he has for sale.
There is no need for candy bar ads. Just go to the convenience store and look at the rack.
There is no need for movie promos. Just go to the theater and ask the pre-pubescent surly teen at the counter what new movie RAWKS!

You don't need a prescription (required doctor visit) to buy a car, or candy bars, or go to the movies.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: PingSpike
The one thing that really gets me...is that in the face of rising insurance costs forcing many Americans do without insurance, the drug companies advertise their perscription products...the doctor should be the only one 'advertising' these.

...And I wonder who ends up picking up the tab for these additional TV advertisements?

OMG, a company advertises its products? Oh nooooooooooo they must be the devil!



:roll:

He's making a good point that there's no need for drug adverts. If you've got a problem, see your doctor. Your doctor will know what drugs to give you if drugs are necessary. It's not like you see a commercial and go "HOLY HELL I'm gonna get Clymidia so I can go to the doctor and get those cool drugs I saw on TV!"

I find the drug adverts incredibly amusing, although I agree with you.. but, Public Relations is big. Just by knowing the name of the drug, a person is more likely to go with them.

Anyway.. LOL.. the side effects are effing hilarious sometimes. They spend the first 20 seconds hyping the drug up, and then they quickly blurt out all these side effects..

"Siezures, nausea, constpiation, "sexual side effects", etc..

It's like.. Well, at least my heartburn is gone.. but these damn siezures!

LOL!

BWUAHAHAHAHA :laugh:

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Well as one who has NO HEALTH INSURANCE, and NO HELP in BUYING drugs, it fries my ass that people in other countries in basically the same situation CAN and DO get drugs that I can't afford.

So it's OK for the drug companies to gouge Americans since most have insurance that can pay?
And as for those who can't, fvck'em? Also, just because the insurance companies pay, doesn't mean the costs aren't deferred by higher insurance costs!:roll:

People in "other countries" have their drug prices set and subsidized by the government. They pay for it, just not at the time of purchase.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Well as one who has NO HEALTH INSURANCE, and NO HELP in BUYING drugs, it fries my ass that people in other countries in basically the same situation CAN and DO get drugs that I can't afford.

So it's OK for the drug companies to gouge Americans since most have insurance that can pay?
And as for those who can't, fvck'em? Also, just because the insurance companies pay, doesn't mean the costs aren't deferred by higher insurance costs!:roll:

I understand your anger, but keep in mind you live in America. This is a country that gives you opportunties that don't exist anywhere else. Is there a catch? Of course, things are more expensive here...