|
 |
5/30/2008
The rest of the world on the backs of American pharma
People talk to me about the high cost of prescription drugs (not so much now that gas is up). Buying medicine is often expensive and difficult to pay for, even with good insurance.
Prescription medicine is a mixed bag. They cure diseases, or make us happy, or productive. They make our lives better, give us focus or allow us to get through the day without pain or symptoms. They can be lifesaving.
Prescription medicine can be hard on the body and lead to other diseases and more prescription medicines. It can lead to another drug to make you sleep, and one to wake you. One to make you go and one to dry you up. Another to keep your blood sugar in line, etc.
Sometimes, a prescription can be replaced with diet, exercise and more sleep. (That is more difficult than a pill.) Sometimes it can’t.
There are many researchers at private drug companies (Big Pharma) who are diligently working for the next big blockbuster drug to improve lives, or something as popular as Viagra. These researchers may be motivated by the desire to cure diseases and save lives or by profit (a dirty word to some) or both. I want those people working hard to make research breakthroughs whether motivated by altruism (to save or make people’s lives better) or by profit (to make lots of money). Either way, they save and improve lives.
With all the attention on Big Oil, and rising gas prices, not much attention has fallen recently on Big Pharma. Seems there haven’t been any blockbuster discoveries by Big Pharma recently (for them to get "excess profits," too much of a good thing) and therefore little attention. We have been concentrating on our day-to-day dilemma of buying ever more expensive milk, eggs and gas (beer, brats and propane) for the upcoming summer months.
The socialized systems of Canada, Japan and Europe (dictate) negotiate what the price will be for prescriptions on their formulary (the prescription drugs they allow under their plan. Click here for drugs often not covered.)
Americans whether insured or uninsured are paying more for their medications than the rest of the world. It is the United States that is paying for the profits of Big Pharma and for virtually all of the research and development. The socialized systems are free loading on the backs of the American sick. That's wrong.
Subsidizing medicines to Africa, Central America, Southeast Asia and any other poor place in the world is okay. But, I do mind paying higher prices so that Canadians, Europeans and Japanese pay less.
This issue is something I have thought about at length. What I don’t want is the federal government solving this with a committee with power to negotiate and control worldwide prices. One committee that would have even more control than they have now. A big, slow moving bureaucracy setting prices and dictating research behind closed doors in (no longer smoke-filled) back-rooms.
Recently I came up with a simple solution. Our government could simply set the maximum price for retail prescription drugs in the United States at no more than the average price enjoyed in Japan, Canada and Europe. Our citizens would then pay what the socialized systems pay without a huge bureaucracy to do it.
In time, Big Pharma would require higher prices from the socialized countries and we would enjoy lower prices here. This would be accomplished without a committee, a back-room or closed doors. It would be more fair for all. And, it would save Americans big bucks.
Frank Lasee is a Republican and represents the 2nd Assembly District.
COMMENTS
Good idea Frank. Problem is, the moneyed political system you support won't permit it. Big Pharma OWNS our politicians.
Jack Lohman (Fri May 30 07:21:12 2008)
Good idea Frank. That would level the playing field.
dave allen (Fri May 30 08:50:24 2008)
Jack, I agree totally that Big Pharma along with Big Sugar-(see the online film), Big Food, and Big Agra own politicians in both parties. The "revolving doors" between govt (FDA, USDA, etc.) and lobbying groups is sickening. So is the number of recalls we (health care workers) get notified about.
I do question whether people truly NEED so many rxs. Take high BP- it's viewed as a disease in itself, rather than one's body signaling that something is wrong. Mine was never "high" to begin with (usually under 100 systolic), but was creeping up until my MD discovered I was intolerant to gluten! Guess what? It's back down again.
There are patients with as many meds as 20 to 30! I believe it's their pills making them sick; nobody could possibly calculate all the potential drug interactions, the number would be in the billions. It is interesting that sometimes when death is thought to be imminent that meds are discontinued. And sometimes the pt GETS BETTER after stopping all the meds.
Most would rather take a pill--the quick-fix mentality--than make lifestyle choices. But pills have side effects, eg if one takes a beta blocker for high BP, s/he WILL, eventually, get congestive heart failure.
It is interesting to note that since Americans began eating mostly processed food, the number of chronic illnesses has soared. It is also interesting to note the economic connection between Big Food (food processing is the country's number one industry) and Big Pharma.
I suggest anyone who is concerned should try to locate "Murder by Injection" online. (I can't remember where I downloaded it from). Or else just keep track of all the scandals involving the FDA. "Trust the govt with my health?" NO THANKS.
emily matthews (Fri May 30 08:53:41 2008)
You are absolutely correct Emily. When people get sick the first thing they should do is stop their drugs to see if things clear up. We have serious problems in our healthcare system, most of which is caused by money. Money given to doctors for prescribing certain drugs. Money given to politicians so the industry controls them rather than the other way around. Money given by drug and device companies to fund the FDA (which in fact controls it instead). Can you imagine a policeman not giving you a ticket because your taxes pay his salary? No, but the FDA backs off of its duties to control for that very reason. We must cleanse the political system first, then the rest will happen automatically. That said, I do trust Medicare more than the privates because it serves only as a bill-paying entity and the hospitals and doctors remain private. For-profit CEOs are money-grubbers that have trashed the system. For suggestions on changing healthcare, click here.
Jack Lohman (Fri May 30 09:47:24 2008)
Emily,
I with you 100% on your post except for the last line. The experience of all other industrialized western countries shows that government involvement produces better results at a lower cost.
dave allen (Fri May 30 19:54:23 2008)
|
|
Blog Archives
| 2010 |
  December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Solberg: Healing After an Abortion
• Basketball fans eyeing extension of Miller Park sales tax
• Nanny sex-ed bill goes to Doyle
• A first. Village limits pension contribution for employees
• Nanny State update: Toothbrushing mandated
• Obama pushes education inflation
• WI Investment Board votes to borrow to juice up returns
• So Republicans have brought nothing to the table?
• You have got to be kidding me
• Nygren: Governor Continues Terms of Failure in State of the State
• Sen. Fitzgerald: Governor down the wrong track at high speed
• Phosphorus is the new CO2. $Billions in Wisconsin
• More Obama giveaways
• A reprimand? Would you keep him on the job?
• Burri: Sarah Palin for Prez troubles me
• Quote of the Day – Obama after the pie-eating contest
• Populism, abused and trampled
• Fitzgerald: Senate Republicans Propose Real Job Creation Agenda
• Stripped down health insurance – it’s about time
• Ok GOP, scrap the Party of NO; time to lead
• No way Feingold is a Coakley. Is Wall a Brown?
• Burri: Conservatives off the chart for a RINO?
• Paltry quid pro quo?
• Doyle says ARRA has ‘created or retained’ 44,000 WI jobs
• Does most of the public fall for this stuff?
• When you get signatures, always get a couple extra
• Blame it on the outmoded computers
• Scott Brown victory does not scuttle health bill
• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
• Scott Walker Meet-and-greet, Monday, Jan. 18
• Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
• MORE taxes on investment income - dreadful and wrong
• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
• Savard speaking in Appleton, 8 PM, Wed., Jan. 13.
• Rahmlow: Savard, Bies frontrunners for State Senate
• Burri: Failing Political Correctness 101
• School contracts and Race to the Top
• Senator Feingold worrisome and big red flags
• Psephological?
• This is really important. Contact Rep. Kagen. Now. Please.
• This is exactly what we need from Governor Doyle
• This guy is my hero
• Why am I not surprised?
• Talk health reform with Feingold (Th), Petri (today)
• Give the Mayor power over MPS - if he can break contracts
• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
• Walker launches county accountability website
• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
|
| 2009 |
December
|
November
|
October
• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
• Wisconsin should be screaming for accountability
• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
• “Sotomayor, you have blood on your hands...”
• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
• Rep. Kagen gets (almost) free health services
• I actually agree with Rep. Kagen
• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
|
| 2008 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
• WEAC has created an unsustainable monopoly
• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
• Gov. Doyle's office not enamored with Freedom of Information
• Governor Doyle will never do it
• Leadership on smoking ban? Not Hanna
• Rep. Van Roy speaks out about smear ads
• You're threatening me about potholes?
• Losing the Hastert seat is NOT a trend and NOT curtians for the GOP
• First suggestion for 'slashing' programs
• Big money-saver for municipalities
• More one time fixes. Nuts.
• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
• Gableman/Butler race featured - and it isn't pretty
• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
• He who sacrifices liberty.....
• Duh.
• The Troha sentencing, Doyle and that $200K
• Guns, passion and "originality"
• How hard is it anyway, to shut down a government program?
• Voting is a PRIVILEGE. And so are property taxes....
• Guest Blog: Governor Doyle, cancel your Ireland trip
|
February
|
January
|
| 2007 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
• School budget Lite?
• Frankenstein - not in the library, but in the legislature
• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
|
| 2006 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
| 2000 |
May
|
|
