Why does 81 mg aspirin typically cost more per tablet than 325 mg aspirin?

Question

Whether generic or name brand, consistently they charge more for the "Baby Aspirin" 81 mg pills than the regular strength 325 mg pills. I am basing this on comparisions of exact equivalent products, only the dose size is different.

Answer 1

I have noticed the pricing scheme and it bothers me to see the heart attack and stroke preventive priced this way. I don't think it makes logical or ethical sense to charge more money for less medicine. It seems to me it is an example of Greed -driven capitalism that preys on milking excessive profits from special situations of need by price gouging. The gov't should look into this situation because it has life and death consequences for many people who need to take only the 81mg dose but may be encouraged to buy the larger doses because they are more economical and cost-vs-incomes is a decision factor.


Thanks for asking the Q which should flag the price-gouging behavior of certain pharmacies and pharma corporations and eventually lead to fair and ethical pricing of life-saving, life-extending aspirin products.

In view of certain A's to the Q. I have these comments:

Oh, how easy it is in the US to charge more for less and many of the consumers, like so many docile, stupid sheep, never bother to complain. Don't sweat the small stuff they say, Ignore! Indeed! Ethics and the poor and sick be damned. Oh yeah!: Thomas Hobbes had them all pegged dead to rights. Raise the price of gasoline and they ,the foolish sheep, apparently will adore you for it.

Answer 2

Ah, for the same reason that 10 days of a prescription med costs more than a 30 day supply.
For the same reason that 4 mgs. of something can cost the same as 2 mgs. of the same med.
Many people purposely ask to be prescribed double their dose, and then cut the pills in half, for financial reasons.
Basically, very few people use 81 mg. aspirin these days (since kids can't take aspirin any more). Only seniors are using 81 mg. as part of a heart regimine. However, even back in the day when aspirin was not taboo for kids, baby aspirin still cost more than adult aspirin. There's no way you will get the price lowered, so don't sweat the small stuff :)

Answer 3

I think this is covered in decreasing returns to scale. A lot of people want to buy the 325, so the cost is cheaper, so they can sell it cheaper. And, for ever 81 mg bottle they make, they can't make a 325. If the demand rose for the 81 bottle, they might make it cheaper.

An example is floor space. If you double the floor space, it is likely the rent is not doubled. It probably also pays to get other fixed costs like better computer and machine processing. I am just making things up here, but the story is that the bigger the plant, the cheaper the per unit cost is to make whatever.

Of course, they could also be charging more for the 81 bottle because their research shows these people can or think they should pay more for it. That is the 'price discrimination' version of the story. This is perhaps a bit sick, since they are supposing that people need this more because of health reasons.

Answer 4

Advertising! The 'baby aspirin' dose has been touted as a preventative for heart problems as well as for baby's fevers and little colds. The manufacturers are on a golden roll when it comes to making hay while they can...get granny and little Eddie's parents convinced that 81mg is all that stands between them and the grave and you can price it as high as you want.

I'm OK with the 81mg for little kids--safest dosage, right? And on the 'less is best' philosophy, probably granny should keep the low dosage to protect her stomach linings. But charging more for lower dosage? Charge all the traffic will bear!

Answer 5

It sounds like it is more costly to manufacture the smaller dose. I have compounding experience. It is easier to make the larger dose whatever. (creams, capsules, etc.) It takes a lot of time and effort to weigh out small amounts. The scales used are more expensive too because they would need to use more accurate scales (out to a specific decimal point. .00000X) I don't know this to be 100% true but in my experience, I think this could be the reason.

Answer 6

Capitalism at work. Charge whatever the sheeple will pay.
You can fight back if you have half a brain - buy a pill cutter from the dollar store and cut the 325 mg Asprin (ASA) into 1/4th.

Answer 7

The active ingredients are an incredibly small part of the overall cost of producing the product.

Answer 8

Because it is more difficult to find.