Obama worked closely with drug companies to expand coverage without decreasing drug prices, but was quickly stopped after Democrats lost control of the House. Clinton attempted to introduce competition into the pharmaceutical industry and increase regulations, but his efforts were quickly overturned when Bush took the presidency. Cutting out middlemen - like pharmacy benefit managers - will eliminate a substantial portion of the drug cost.Ĭonsidering this clear problem within the healthcare system, it is no surprise that the government, specifically Democrats, has continuously attempted to fix this issue. For example, pharmacy benefit managers work with insurance companies to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, and their pockets are lined at the consumer’s expense. Each of these players within the system can take some of the responsibility for the high sticker price of drugs, but it is ultimately the structure of the system as a whole that contributes to this problem.Īs the drug travels from the manufacturer to the consumer, there are unnecessary middlemen and steps that hike up the price. This system - composed of insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, manufacturers, drug development companies, and hospitals - is contributing to inflated drug prices.
As seen with the pandemic, our healthcare system is broken, fragile, weak. The blame is often placed on the greed of pharmaceutical companies, but the problem is significantly more complex than it appears. While public attention towards the outrageous cost of drugs continues to wax and wane, these costs have continued to be a root of worry and vexation for patients who are depending on life-saving drugs. It is up to the government or private companies to simplify the complexity of the pharmaceutical industry to reduce drug prices for consumers. The immense inflation of drugs is a growing problem with negative ramifications on many. How much does it cost to manufacture this amount? From spending half of her monthly income on insurance to often relying on her parents to help pay premiums, Jackie does everything she can to manage the lofty prices of treatment.Īt one point, Jackie began to take the drug Mesalamine, which cost $959.20 for a thirty day supply. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg in a sea of high insurance costs and unemployment due to medical recovery. Jackie Zimmerman, who suffers from ulcerative colitis, pays $17,000 a year for medications and treatment. White medical pills spilling out of a medicine bottle.