Why is prescription durgs cheaper in Canada?

Question

Like you can get heart meds way cheaper in Canada than in America.. why is that?

Answer 1

Because the cost of developing the medications are not passed on to Canadian consumers.

As a result those of us in the US have to shoulder higher costs because we are now paying both ours and the Canadians share of the cost of developing that medication.

If we did not pay those higher costs - then nobody would be able to afford R&D for new medications.

Answer 2

Actually drugs are not government funded or subsidized by the Canadian government. That is a huge misconception, or heath coverage only includes medical care with regards to doctors visits, hospitalization and diagnostics.

The reason is Canadian Patent law. Patents on pharmaceuticals expire after 7 years allowing generic drugs on the market. This forces the name brands to lower their prices in order to stay competitive with the generic brands.

This also forces companies to keep on the cutting edge of treatments, knowing that everntually they are going to loose the rights to a drug there is a constant effort to come up with new formulae, often resulting in better treatments.

Answer 3

It isn't really true that drugs are paid for by the healthcare system here in Canada unless you are in hospital. I pay for my own drugs. Most people have a drug plan through their employment but I am not working.

Drugs are cheaper because the government allows generic drugs to be made. There is no real stranglehold of patents which allow companies to keep the prices high.

It's not that ours are cheap....it's that yours are too expensive. Only by demanding change from your government will you see prices fall.

Answer 4

because canadian taxes pay for their healthcare system, and they are subsquently privileged to those drugs


aka...the "free" healthcare idea the U.S. has of canada

Answer 5

there is actually a tax system that works for the people. how crazy is that?

Answer 6

looks like a business opporunity for me.