Introduction -- Why are prescription drugs so expensive? -- The truth behind the high costs of prescription drugs / Julie Appleby -- Higher education plays an important role in the pharma industry / Annie Waldman -- There's no immediate cure for high drug prices / Consumer Reports -- The real reason it takes so long to bring generics to market / Zachary Brennan -- There may be legitimate reasons why your drugs are so high / Michael Rosenblatt -- Why don't insurance companies cover all prescription drugs? -- Government-protected monopolies drive drug prices higher / Sydney Lupkin -- Your prescription meds may not be covered next year / Alison Kodjak -- Lowering drug prices may mean switching medications / Alison Kodjak -- Employers have the power to cut drug prices / Robert Galvin, MD, Roger Longman -- "Medically necessary" drugs are increasing prices / Marcelle Arak and Sheila Tschinkel. What are the ethics behind charging astronomical prices for prescription drugs? -- The ethics of pharmaceutical benefit management are blurry / Stephan L. Burton, Lauren Randel, Karen Titlow, and Ezekiel J. Emanuel -- Americans spend more on prescriptions than most other countries / Steve Morgan and Jae Kennedy -- Demand makes your drug prices higher / AARP Bulletin -- Medicare Part D has its own agenda / James Ridgeway -- Prescription demand is why Americans pay so much for drugs / Valerie Paris -- Will we see legislative changes to the way drugs are priced? -- There's an unbalanced relationship between big pharma and politicians / Mike Ludwig -- Transparency bills are the key to lowering drug prices / Michael Ollove -- Government policy promotes high drug prices / Alfred Engelberg -- It's time to rein in exorbitant pharmaceutical prices / Rafi Mohammed -- The government doesn't deserve the blame for high drug prices / David Blumenthal, M.D. and David Squires -- Pharma companies game the system to keep drugs expensive / Erin Fox.
Summary:
Americans pay among the highest prices for prescription drugs, thanks to government legislation and the powerful pharmaceutical lobbies. The effect has been disastrous, with many citizens obtaining cheaper medicine from Canada, and others forgoing it altogether at the risk of their health. These crippling prices are set by "big pharma," at the insistence of those who support free trade. Consumers call the pharmaceutical companies greedy and selfish, but these companies also enact change, through scientific research, curing of diseases, and community outreach. What is the answer to this complex issue? Readers will learn about the conflicts and potential solutions in this compelling volume.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.