Why are those who work punished?

Question

Why are those who work hard and pay their taxes discriminated against when it comes to medications?

I am disabled and not working and had to get a prescription filled today. I paid $4.90 for mine, yet a friend who works had to get similar medication and paid $75.00.

I understand why mine would be low - pension, low income, etc, but why was his so expensive simply because he didn't have a pension or health care card?

Is it that pharmaceutical companies are simply too greedy?

I should have said that I'm in Australia.
It is only pharmacies that are allowed to sell prescrition drugs here.

I did not receive a generic brand of medication either.

Answer 1

Pharmaceutical companies get a bad reputation because of their high prices. However, the high prices are required so that testing for new drugs can continue. It can take upwards of 20 years of testing to develop a good drug. In fact, for diseases such as Alzheimers and AIDS, 20 years is not nearly enough. So, drugs are expensive because of the time and money needed for drug development.

Unfortunately, on that note, for people who do get lowered prices, this means that someone else has to pick up the slack. Those who pay full price for meds have to help make up some of the money that is lost to those who receive discounts.

Answer 2

No not greed. Assuming you both got the same medication, and assuming yours was generic and his was name brand the cost would be vastly different. The type of insurance especially prescription plan will have allot to do with it. Understand that the government does no drug research, private companies do. They foot the entire bill for the development of a drug as well as the long hassle to get a drug approved for use. After a set time anyone can manufacture a generic and the original company does not get paid for their product. Plus some stores sell prescriptions at a loss to get people into the stores. Other stores {like Wal-mart} buy such large bulk that they can pass the savings on to the shoppers.

Answer 3

In no way R they the only ones being "Punished". I too am disabled, my medicare has not started yet. I went to the doc the other day. My scripts were 650 & ov was 100. Why am I being punished? Everyone is getting screwed some how or some way. That's why people that work R being punished. I hope U better understand & this answered Ur question.

Answer 4

It's just the way the system is set up. I assume you're on a Medicare drug plan, which would be why your prescription is so cheap? Regardless, upon retirement these same benefits would be available to your friend.

Answer 5

They are very greedy!!
& even though people work it's still far to expensive for people.
Families really have to struggle & go without other things ( most likely food ) to pay for some things at the chemist

Answer 6

that would be one of the motives behind the price but studying medicine i can understand how expensive research and development is for these drugs... they could definately lower the price i agree, i'm a uni student and am broke but i'm torn because i know the costs involved in it...

Answer 7

There is no regulation in the pharmaceutical business that deals with price. Yeah they are gready as hell.

Answer 8

in a way, those that work and can pay for items tend to be paying more to make up for others who cannot.

Answer 9

because a disabled person..needs the help. and so the person who works. have the money already.

Answer 10

Because there is no one else that both has the money to pay and dosen't have the political clout not to