[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by heims01

So you don't think it would help if Medicare started negotiating what they can charge? Why is a drug like Eliquis available for so much less in other countries?

I'm in favor of anything that will reduce the prices. But, anytime the Federal Government pays for anything, they pay too much.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by heims01

So you don't think it would help if Medicare started negotiating what they can charge? Why is a drug like Eliquis available for so much less in other countries?

Eliquis is not available for a lot less. The difference is that other countries do not follow US patent law and make generic drugs available much sooner. He is getting generic Eliquis which is very likely totally fine. Big Pharma has gotten very good at getting its US patents extended over and over.

Generic Eliquis was actually approved by our FDA, but because of the patent it cannot be sold here. The patent on the medication expires in 2026, that is the actual ingredient. But the patent on the manufacture of the drug lasts until 2031 in the US

[TSO/ISPF]

Originally Posted by blueash

Eliquis is not available for a lot less. The difference is that other countries do not follow US patent law and make generic drugs available much sooner. He is getting generic Eliquis which is very likely totally fine. Big Pharma has gotten very good at getting its US patents extended over and over.

Generic Eliquis was actually approved by our FDA, but because of the patent it cannot be sold here. The patent on the medication expires in 2026, that is the actual ingredient. But the patent on the manufacture of the drug lasts until 2031 in the US

It does say Eliquis on the packaging and the drug companies name is on the package. I get what your saying though. Seems we have multiple Federal agencies who can be influenced. No wonder drugs are so expensive.

[slg0921]

According to H.R. 3, the Sec. of HHS would be allowed to negotiate rates on at least 50 brand name drugs per year without generic competitors. These rates would then also be available to commercial insurers.

One of the major reasons why drugs are so expensive is R&D. The drug sector is second only to the tech sector in R&D costs as a percentage of revenue. Restricting that revenue can stifle innovation if the drug makers know they won't get their money back which can, in fact, result in shortages if the drug maker restricts the amount they produce in response to losing money. I'm not defending the drug makers, just pointing out that, like any other business, they could scale back in response to decreased revenue.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by heims01

It does say Eliquis on the packaging and the drug companies name is on the package. I get what your saying though. Seems we have multiple Federal agencies who can be influenced. No wonder drugs are so expensive.

As I understand it, the Medicare Part D law was deliberately designed to prohibit the Medicare administrators from negotiating directly with the drug companies on drug prices. So, it was Congress (and the drug lobbyists) that didn't want Medicare to save money on drugs, not the agency that executes the Medicare Part D law.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

It is disgraceful that big pharma lobbyists are able to buy enough people in DC to make us pay the highest drug prices in the world.

That's the big joke, really. The Pharmaceutical industry has enough money to buy legislation, to keep their prices high.

But if they'd just stop spending all that money lobbying, they'd profit AND be able to keep their prices down, at the same time.

Also, I am against medicare being able to negotiate prices. The lower the price to medicare recipients, the higher the price for everyone else. MOST Americans don't qualify for Medicare, because MOST Americans are under 65 years of age.

The prices for drugs are through the roof in all sectors, people are rationing their meds, not taking as many, or taking lower doses than their doctor says they need, just to make their prescription last until they can afford a refill.

This phenomenon isn't exclusive to senior citizens. But if seniors get a break on the price, you can BET those Rx companies will make up that loss by raising the prices to everyone else.

What we need to do is - yup - that really bad evil horrible concept - socialized medicine. Which is what Medicare is anyway, but the word creates a knee-jerk reaction and trigger to some folks I guess.

The COUNTRY needs to negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical companies. The COUNTRY needs to mandate that insurance companies allow their insured members to get their meds from Canada, Mexico, and India (where many of their generics are manufactured). This needs to be done on a national level, not just from one company to another, or one segment of the population to another.

[TSO/ISPF]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That's the big joke, really. The Pharmaceutical industry has enough money to buy legislation, to keep their prices high.

But if they'd just stop spending all that money lobbying, they'd profit AND be able to keep their prices down, at the same time.

Also, I am against medicare being able to negotiate prices. The lower the price to medicare recipients, the higher the price for everyone else. MOST Americans don't qualify for Medicare, because MOST Americans are under 65 years of age.

The prices for drugs are through the roof in all sectors, people are rationing their meds, not taking as many, or taking lower doses than their doctor says they need, just to make their prescription last until they can afford a refill.

This phenomenon isn't exclusive to senior citizens. But if seniors get a break on the price, you can BET those Rx companies will make up that loss by raising the prices to everyone else.

What we need to do is - yup - that really bad evil horrible concept - socialized medicine. Which is what Medicare is anyway, but the word creates a knee-jerk reaction and trigger to some folks I guess.

The COUNTRY needs to negotiate prices with the pharmaceutical companies. The COUNTRY needs to mandate that insurance companies allow their insured members to get their meds from Canada, Mexico, and India (where many of their generics are manufactured). This needs to be done on a national level, not just from one company to another, or one segment of the population to another.

I agree ! The Wrong people are making all the money in this world right now. It's not the people devoting their lives to developing cures or even the doctors working 80 hours a week. Greed is such a powerful force. I digress. One solution at a time?

[daniel200]

Eliquis in the USA will cost you about $1400 for 180 (2.5 mg) tablets. It’s manufactured by Pfizer

In Canada the Eliquis will cost you $481 for 180 (2.5 mg) tablets. This is Eliquis marketed by Bristol Myers and is NOT a generic. Bristol Myers and Pfizer have a comarketing agreement in Canada for Eliquis and is marketing Pfizer’s Eliquis.

So the nongeneric prescription for Eliquis that cost you $1400 in the USA will cost you only $481 in Canada.

US consumers are paying for the drug development costs … and the rest of the world is getting a free ride. Why should Medicare or any US consumer not be able to access Canadian pricing for Pfizer’s Eliquis?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by daniel200

Eliquis in the USA will cost you about $1400 for 180 (2.5 mg) tablets. It’s manufactured by Pfizer

In Canada the Eliquis will cost you $481 for 180 (2.5 mg) tablets. This is Eliquis marketed by Bristol Myers and is NOT a generic. Bristol Myers and Pfizer have a comarketing agreement in Canada for Eliquis and is marketing Pfizer’s Eliquis.

So the nongeneric prescription for Eliquis that cost you $1400 in the USA will cost you only $481 in Canada.

US consumers are paying for the drug development costs … and the rest of the world is getting a free ride. Why should Medicare or any US consumer not be able to access Canadian pricing for Pfizer’s Eliquis?

Some of the rest of the world has no access to some of these meds at all. Other parts of the world have cheaper prices because they have fully socialized medicine, and the government negotiates the prices with the pharmaceutical companies. The industry is profitable here, because this country (the USA) chooses to allow the market to determine its own prices, AND because we rely primarily on private insurance for the general public. Even with Medicare, you have to choose which profit-making company will provide your coverage. This just isn't really the case in many other first-world countries.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Some of the rest of the world has no access to some of these meds at all. Other parts of the world have cheaper prices because they have fully socialized medicine, and the government negotiates the prices with the pharmaceutical companies. The industry is profitable here, because this country (the USA) chooses to allow the market to determine its own prices, AND because we rely primarily on private insurance for the general public. Even with Medicare, you have to choose which profit-making company will provide your coverage. This just isn't really the case in many other first-world countries.

When selling drugs to consumers via medicare the drug companies set the price. Only in America would the govt allow the fox to control the henhouse.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

When selling drugs to consumers via medicare the drug companies set the price. Only in America would the govt allow the fox to control the henhouse.

Medicare isn't a singular thing. It's a collection of insurance companies that have agreed to specific benefits for their older insured members with specific guidelines and assorted options and fees. It is a collaboration between government and insurance companies.

The Rx industry is no different from any other profit-making industry when it comes to pricing. They set the MSRP for their product. They can negotiate lower prices, they can run specials and deals, they can offer coupons and discounts, but their MSRP is their MSRP, take it or leave it.

Just like the MSRP for your car is what it is, it's set by the manufacturer. The dealer you buy your car from might have incentives to lower their asking price, but if they don't, then the price on the sticker is the price dictated by the manufacturer.

Same as the can of beans on the shelf. If the store has a BOGO price, it's because the store has worked out a deal with Bush Beans for that week. The store isn't just being generous, or got too much and trying to get rid of overstock.

Rx is no different. They set their MSRP, and if you have insurance, you might get a discounted price. Or you can try GoodRx or any of the other discount programs. Or - you can write to the pharmaceutical company and ask for a discount. You can usually get coupons if you ask them.

This is just how it is when you live in a country that promotes capitalism above all else. It has its benefits - to those who can afford to enjoy those benefits. For everyone else, not so much.

[Sabella]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

For $ 50,000 we can buy our own Congressional rep for one 2 year term and for 100,000 for life. What can we expect when the people who supposedly work for us are bought and paid for by lobbyists.

And we stupidly keep reelecting the same people.

Why are lobbyists legal? It seems politicians are out for themselves- they are all rich, power hungry and NOT for the people. Social media is allowed to cancel FREE SPEECH AND NOTHING IS DONE ABOUT IT. People need to wake up stop complaining and DO SOMETHING.

[Petersweeney]

Half the money they take in on sales goes goes straight back to MSM….. talk about a vicious cycle….

[markmorris24@yahoo.com]

Late in the Clinton administration (1999), the government passed legislation prohibiting itself from negotiating prescription drug prices for Medicare. An obvious kowtow to the drug industry. This explains why up until recently I’ve been paying $255 for a vial of insulin under Medicare but chose to buy it in Canada for $35. Buying outside of the Medicare system saved me $4,500 a year. HR 4680 Medicare RX 2000 Act, Section 201.

[Billy1]

We don't vote for competence, we vote to hear our opinions parroted.
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