Quote from: Jman22 on June 21, 2017, 08:31:09 PM
- thanks again Solar.  What are your thoughts on allowing FDA approved drugs from Canada and Mexico to be purchased in the US to increase competition?  The private entity is an interesting note too.  Are any politicians supporting such an approach?  My concern would be the private entity continue to engage in predatory pricing similar to current US drug companies today because there are no penalties if they do so.

Congrats!
Now let's keep one reply per post.

Ask yourself why, is there an issue with Canadian and Mexican drugs manufactured by the very same company, with the same stringent regulations as here in the US., yet aren't allowed to come across the border?
Remember that point about competition? They don't want any. Just think, most drugs are made by automation, so it really has nothing to do with labor.
My guess is it has everything to do with import/export fees, taxes, you know, govt red tape.
Thing is, the corporations set it up this way, Congress said we need more tax money, but the corporations don't pay taxes, you and I do, so they agreed and said while you're at it, how about you drop the duty fees on our exports, and tell us we can't import drugs from other countries....

Sweet deal our so called Reps made, isn't it?

Quote from: Jman22 on June 21, 2017, 07:57:08 AM
"Why not let the free market take care of pricing?" - sounds good to me.  For example, we can increase competition by buying FDA approved drugs from other countries.  Problem is - big pharma bought lobbyists are voting against.

Eliminate the FDA.  The government can never "increase competition".

Quote from: Jman22 on June 21, 2017, 07:57:08 AM
"Why not let the free market take care of pricing?" - sounds good to me.  For example, we can increase competition by buying FDA approved drugs from other countries.  Problem is - big pharma bought lobbyists are voting against. 

Why do you think other countries get the drugs so cheap?  We are footing the bill so they can get cheap drugs.

Quote from: walkstall on June 22, 2017, 01:26:27 AM
Why do you think other countries get the drugs so cheap?  We are footing the bill so they can get cheap drugs.

We also have out of control lawsuits and years of regulations for new new drugs. Far easier and cheaper for another country to duplicate an existing product than to come up with it on their own.

Quote from: Jman22 on June 20, 2017, 07:09:02 PM
Hi everyone,

I am looking to advocate healthcare cost reform in my spare time but want to do so in the most effective way possible.  Our basic healthcare costs of prescription drugs and services are out of control compared to the rest of the world indicating a strong case for price gouging. 


Thanks,
J

Welcome to the forum!  Healthcare costs will never go down as long as the feds are involved.  Opening up the free marketplace is in part the answer. Doctors and nurses shouldn't have their hands tied by what a patient's insurance will and will not cover; Clinton's universal healthcare codes serves a purpose but it also gives insurance companies a way to limit benefits or opt out of paying completely. Case in point; years ago I needed surgery.  However my insurance at the time would not approve surgery because I was considered to young and had not exhausted other options.  I in fact had a doctor tell me "my hands are tied", she wound up leaving the area soon after.  I was put on numerous different drugs, tests, short term procedures, different doctors, psychologists, etc. After 3 years, my husband's employer switched insurance companies and voila ... I was immediately scheduled for surgery by my physician at the time.  Keep in mind, that the other insurance company I had was paying for all the unnecessary tests, office visits, procedures, and medications they they knew full well weren't going to work ...not to mention the hell and pain I went through!

There are prescription drugs that are available overseas that aren't available here and vice-versa.  Advil for example is available OTC here and not in Europe.  My point being, the FDA either needs to be eliminated or seriously revamped.  There are countless drugs that have been approved by the FDA that are later found to be very harmful and in some cases fatal.  Yet waiting to get FDA approval drives up the costs of the drug...there is too much room for manipulation and corruption and price gouging; again due in part to the involvement of the federal government.

Also, IMHO using the words John McCain in any sentence other than one that would announce he's retiring is offensive.

Quote from: Ms.Independence on June 22, 2017, 05:37:14 AM
Also, IMHO using the words John McCain in any sentence other than one that would announce he's retiring is offensive.

What about his obituary? 

Quote from: quiller on June 22, 2017, 06:16:27 AM
What about his obituary? 

...certainly a different way of retiring!   

Quote from: Ms.Independence on June 22, 2017, 08:09:42 AM
...certainly a different way of retiring!   

(*best Mr. Rogers voice*) Can you say, "overdue"?

Quote from: Ms.Independence on June 22, 2017, 05:37:14 AM
There are prescription drugs that are available overseas that aren't available here and vice-versa.  Advil for example is available OTC here and not in Europe.  My point being, the FDA either needs to be eliminated or seriously revamped.  There are countless drugs that have been approved by the FDA that are later found to be very harmful and in some cases fatal.  Yet waiting to get FDA approval drives up the costs of the drug...there is too much room for manipulation and corruption and price gouging; again due in part to the involvement of the federal government.

Thanks Ms. Independence.

Interesting points brought up by you and others on FDA revamp or even removal.  I did some research and indeed does seem to be articles showing the inefficiency of FDA and would be an important factor to address in this price gouging situation by pharma companies.  Like everyone has said there are many factors here.   Are you aware of any bills introduced that would revamp or remove the FDA?  Or any politicians who support this approach?

What's clear is that big pharma companies like Phizer have a 42% profit margin so the current FDA setup is clearly in their favor.  So, whatever is introduced through legislation pharma companies will use their lobbying power to full extent to allow them to continue the predatory pricing practice.

So, again it comes down to me the influence of lobbying on the government.  While there are anti corruption acts out there being advocated, here is the thing.  Lobbying is constitutional acceptable.  Because constitutional acceptable, companies may sue and challenge any passed laws as unconstitutional.  For example the citizens united vs fec in 2010 ruling campaign contributions as a right of free speech for corporations.  So, I did some research into any movements to amend the constitution so that corporate lobbying is included and addressed.

Has anyone heard of https://movetoamend.org/wethepeopleamendment ?  What is your take on this proposed amendment?

No I figured out exactly how to completely reform health care and actually have it cost less for all citizens

Ready?

Drumroll:

Forget about universal health care - simply create a Government run Pharmaceutical company using fair prices  for all their products which will force Big Pharma like Merck to stop being so greedy and have competitive prices from then on for their products . Theres the solution the Obama Admin couldn't see- well nobody could. Big Pharma is too much of a monopoly .They need stiff competition. Then those Sobs wouldn't  get insanely rich while forcing US citizens to pay for their badly needed medication.

I'm not saying it would be easy (and the GOP gets $$ from Big Pharma ) but think about it- If you were someone in the GOP sold this idea to the public- could you name 1 GOP senator and congressman who would oppose this idea? they would never get elected again if they opposed this idea. 95% of the country would be for it- upper middle and lower classes would love this idea.

This is the best( and ONLY ) solution to health care. Universal Health care could never work in the US. You cant have half the hard working country taking care of the lazy other half. Non sustainable business model.Too many people and illegals here.

Quote from: DoctorinPA73 on June 29, 2017, 08:32:23 PM
No I figured out exactly how to completely reform health care and actually have it cost less for all citizens

Ready?

Drumroll:

Forget about universal health care - simply create a Government run Pharmaceutical company using fair prices  for all their products which will force Big Pharma like Merck to stop being so greedy and have competitive prices from then on for their products . Theres the solution the Obama Admin couldn't see- well nobody could. Big Pharma is too much of a monopoly .They need stiff competition. Then those Sobs wouldn't  get insanely rich while forcing US citizens to pay for their badly needed medication.

I'm not saying it would be easy (and the GOP gets $$ from Big Pharma ) but think about it- If you were someone in the GOP sold this idea to the public- could you name 1 GOP senator and congressman who would oppose this idea? they would never get elected again if they opposed this idea. 95% of the country would be for it- upper middle and lower classes would love this idea.

This is the best( and ONLY ) solution to health care. Universal Health care could never work in the US. You cant have half the hard working country taking care of the lazy other half. Non sustainable business model.Too many people and illegals here.

So your cure is to Nationalize pharmaceuticals? No free mkt approach? Where's the profit?
Back to the drawing table...

Quote from: DoctorinPA73 on June 29, 2017, 08:32:23 PM
No I figured out exactly how to completely reform health care and actually have it cost less for all citizens

Ready?

Drumroll:

Forget about universal health care - simply create a Government run Pharmaceutical company[/b] using fair prices  for all their products which will force Big Pharma like Merck to stop being so greedy and have competitive prices from then on for their products . Theres the solution the Obama Admin couldn't see- well nobody could. Big Pharma is too much of a monopoly .They need stiff competition. Then those Sobs wouldn't  get insanely rich while forcing US citizens to pay for their badly needed medication.

I'm not saying it would be easy (and the GOP gets $$ from Big Pharma ) but think about it- If you were someone in the GOP sold this idea to the public- could you name 1 GOP senator and congressman who would oppose this idea? they would never get elected again if they opposed this idea. 95% of the country would be for it- upper middle and lower classes would love this idea.

This is the best( and ONLY ) solution to health care. Universal Health care could never work in the US. You cant have half the hard working country taking care of the lazy other half. Non sustainable business model.Too many people and illegals here.

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - President Reagan Aug. 12, 1986

Was true then and is even more true now.

Normally I would agree, but we tried the free market approach. Look where it got us- Big Pharma insanely rich and meanwhile patients pay 12 bucks for an aspirin in the hospital.

And there are plenty of profits to be made- I just said fair prices so Big Pharma would have to lower thiers to compete. Big Pharma will still make profits as well as the govt run company.

Biologics such as infliximab(Remicade) cost 18,000/dose. Trust me it doesn't cost that much to make it

Big Pharma is why the ACA- and ANY health care plan is so damn expensive. You have to get to the root cause to fix things- not  force the middle class to pay for the lower classes birth control like Obama did

Obama gave a way the damn store there.

This could work or we can sit around while Big Pharma keeps getting richer and the middle class keeps getting poorer. tick tock tick tock....

I know some people who pay 860 for the ACA health care plan in 2017( up from 560 the year before). Gonna be 1000 bucks next year unless the ACA gets repealed soon.

Quote from: DoctorinPA73 on June 29, 2017, 08:44:16 PM
Normally I would agree, but we tried the free market approach. Look where it got us- Big Pharma insanely rich and meanwhile patients pay 12 bucks for an aspirin in the hospital.

And there are plenty of profits to be made- I just said fair prices so Big Pharma would have to lower thiers to compete. Big Pharma will still make profits as well as the govt run company.

Biologics such as infliximab(Remicade) cost 18,000/dose. Trust me it doesn't cost that much to make it

Big Pharma is why the ACA- and ANY health care plan is so damn expensive. You have to get to the root cause to fix things- not  force the middle class to pay for the lower classes birth control like Obama did

Obama gave a way the damn store there.

There was something sometime back that said what each pill was made of and how much it cost to make.  Q may remember it.

Just pass a law that you can not charge the U.S. more then you do other country's.   That the most I would like government getting in the way.  IF I can get it for 10 dollars in Mexico or Canada then it should be the same in the U.S.   I should not be subsidized Mexico or Canada Rx's for them.

The TRUE Cost Of Your Prescription Drugs!

http://rense.com/general54/preco.htm

yeah , awful isn't

Al I i am saying it would fix the health care issue- without any doubt. I am not saying it would be easy. the politicians are getting so much money from Big Pharma they will come up with lame excuses on now to do this. Just because its the best( or only) solution, that doesn't mean someone will be rational enough to attempt it.

The only ones who will lose big is some greedy politician getting rick from lobbyists bribes( er I mean donations ) and of course  Big Pharma( and they can still make a profit if they just lower costs-  Merck boardmembers will still make out fine if they have some competition with a govt run pharma co. Everyone else( and I mean EVERYONE else) Will win big with this. People could afford health care, and the rates for the middle class will plummet while still providing decent medicine to the masses