My father’s theory about the cost of prescription medications
Tags : Drug Costs
Today in the pharmacy I filled a prescription for a patient with cystic fibrosis. The prescription retail price was just under $4000. That is not a typo, FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. Now mind you, this was not for a year supply of medication. This was for a one month supply of TOBI ampules. TOBI is used via inhalation therapy to treat bacterial infections in patients with Cystic Fibrosis. You might find it interesting to know that we keep TOBI in the refrigerator at the pharmacy, but just a few feet away on the eye drop shelf we have TOBI, or rather the same chemical ingredient in a bottle called tobramycin eye drops. Tobramycin eye drops cost $15. Interesting, isn’t it.
My father has long had a theory that managed care organizations like Medco and Caremark are responsible for the high cost of medications today. Sure, you can argue that the risk reward profile of medication creation is a reason. After all, the success rate for a viable chemical to be discovered, tested, and actually marketed for disease prevention or treatment is often less than 11% according to science journal Nature Reviews. On average it costs nearly $800 million or more to bring a drug to market. There is liability too. Big Pharma has wide exposure and responsibility to ensure that their medications are safe and effective. But $4,000 for a one month supply of a non unique chemical substance that has been on the market for dozens of years! So lets examine my father’s theory- Paul White R.Ph graduate of Ohio Northern University in 1966. Paul White R.Ph. Says “The cost of medications today are a direct result of what the third party payer is willing to pay.” In simple terms, why should a manufacturer lowball their price when Medco and Caremark are willing to pay $10 or $20 a pill? Better yet, lets charge the poor suffering patient $4,000 for their medication. Never mind that that is not the only mediation the patient uses, and never mind that the patient will quickly max out their lifetime healthcare benefit and then end up on State assistance and the taxpayer will bear the burden of Big Pharma lining its pockets. (And don’t get me started on the Medicaid formularies that maintain coverage of brand name drugs like Nexium® when cheaper generic drug alternatives are available).
It is not right. I am all for making a fare return on my investment. I am not so short sighted to see that Big Pharma should not make a profit either. I want the best health care options for me and my family, and it takes profits to run large research and development departments to keep our medicine on the cutting edge. But lets be practical. Lets help people.
What do you think? How many of you have come to the pharmacy counter to find out that your medicine is hundreds of dollars? How many of you are looking for good health other than from a bottle? How many of you are fed up with rising healthcare costs?
