Sometimes the demand is artificially created in my opinion. Drugs are prescribed much more than they used to be. Doctors seem to prescribe drugs much more aggressively than they used to. As far as them making a profit, that is fine. But they should open it up to foreign companies also which would allow for more competition.

As of now, the only way it is affecting me is through insurance costs rising, as fortunately neither I nor any member of my family has to take any prescribed drugs. I just think that by actually lowering prices we can accomplish much of what people want to do by raising taxes to offset costs. Instead of focusing on coming up with money for everyone's costs to be lower, why don't we work on those lower costs - like limiting liability law suits.

George, I have no problem with earning a profit, but do you think if we all companys from over seas to compete that this would help the average Joe?

Crow, you posted some great information, I hope others take notice of this. I was amazed at all of this.

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An informed voter scares the Goverment lackeys.

An American first and always a Conservative.

This puts a strain on the system too. Doctors do buy into what certain companies distribute to them and Drs do also invest in certain companies that have certain drugs they carry. This sort of loop also hurts what we get and at what price. It is not the sole cause but it certainly contributes.

Our federal government at work....

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"A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing but together can decide that nothing can be done."
Fred Allen

"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."
George Bernard Shaw

"Politics is the art of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable."
John Galbraith

"What's wrong with companies trying to make a profit?"

>>>I should have phrased that better. What's wrong with companies buying congressmen so that profits can be legislated?

not enough and they are easy to get on just send pay stubs and copy of W2
and tax return

I posted this on another thread earlier today.. http://www.arguewitheveryone.com/sho...3&postcount=30

... but perhaps it would be more beneficial here.

Hundreds of Pharmaceutical companies give out free medications under patient assistance programs. Until about two years ago, the pharmaceutical companies seldom advertised or promoted these programs, but they have been operating for many years and it's not uncommon to see ads on television nowadays offering patient assistance programs. People can get information about them from their doctor, pharmacy or by contacting the pharmaceutical company that makes whatever medication they need. There is NO reason to get the federal government involved in "negotiating with drug companies for medicines". I have no idea why so many people are trying to get the federal government involved in this because it's just one more place it's not needed. But I have no doubt they'll push this until they get what they're demanding and then they'll moan and groan about big brother poking his nose into their "private" medical issues.

Rob you gotta add the insurance industry and administrative paperwork that is ripping off tax payers also.

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AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE HOME OF THE BRAVE--BECAUSE OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

Rasta, good save there.

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An informed voter scares the Goverment lackeys.

An American first and always a Conservative.

The biggest scam of them all is the one between the FDA and the HMOs. I know of at least a dozen drugs that were once sold by prescription only. Almost as soon as they began costing the HMOs money, they became over-the-counter. As far as I can tell, those drugs were just as dangerous after they became over-the-counter than when they were prescription only.