about importing drugs with the recent recalls we've had in other products like pet food and toothpaste? Do you think imported drugs will be better? Also, people say that they are cheaper, but if we start importing them the supply will go down and the demand will go up so wouldn't the price increase then too?
2007-07-18 01:56:52 · 6 answers · asked by civil_av8r 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Actually the only reason they are cheaper in other countries now is because of price controls. With very few exceptions supply and demand is almost not even part of the equation in drug markets,because there is a huge glut of drug availability as compared to actual need. At any given time most drug manufacturers are trying to get more people on their meds to increase the demand. However many countries like Canada cap the profit margin on many drugs,so if it costs you a buck to get a Viagra produced and shipped to the distribution point you can't charge 10 bucks for it.
As a rule I'm against most profit limiting legislation,however in some cases I have to wonder,how much is enough? And in the drug markets,as in the oil markets I have to say that the profits being gleaned at this point border on extortion. They have a product that many absolutely need,and they're going to charge as much as they can get away with. I think many in the drug business have actually reached the point where their search for ever increasing profit borders on the obscene.
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2007-07-18 02:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allowing the importation of pharmaceuticals from other countries will force Big Pharma to compete more effectively, but it will also negatively impact our overall trade imbalance.
I would also make it impossible for people to sue the importer--they didn't make the drug--and the retail store selling the drug--they didn't make the drug, either.
In short, if someone dies from taking an imported medicine then I wish the family good luck in trying to sue a foreign corporation.
2007-07-18 09:22:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mathsorcerer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The drugs are manufactured by the same companies and are equally safe.
They are not cheaper based on free market principles of supply and demand, they are artificially capped.
3rd world countries understandably set limits on prescription costs. The drug manufacturer makes a slight profit over the cost of manufacture, but does not recoup anything in the cost of discovery testing and development.
When these limits are placed, the responsible countries subsidize the countries with limits, by picking up the tab on R&D in the form of higher prices.
1st world countries that cap prescription prices also enjoy subsidy and contribute nothing towards R&D both for the current drugs and for future treatments and cures.
When you import drugs from prescription capped countries, you are joining the subsidized and abandoning your participation in the future of medication.
2007-07-18 09:17:26 · answer #3 · answered by responder 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The same drug companies that make the drugs in the USA also make the exact same product in Canada, with the same quality control.
They advertised like crazy to block importing their own drugs from Canada because they can get 10 times more for them in the USA by gouging US patients.
Definitely do not import them from China though.
2007-07-18 09:01:53 · answer #4 · answered by Darth Vader 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course the price will go up.
It is really funny that people who decry introduction of "socialist medicine" in the US don't understand the principles of capitalism and then rely on a "socialist" pricing system in other countries to bail them out.
2007-07-18 09:04:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I forget... what was the question?
2007-07-18 08:59:50 · answer #6 · answered by train120 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋