Why Do Drugs Cost So Much?
A story in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) debunks the claim
made by American pharmaceutical companies that they charge more
for their products because they spend more on research and
development than firms in the rest of the world do.
In fact, thepiece shows, U.K. drug companies spend
proportionately more on R&D than their U.S. counterparts,
but British drug prices remain much lower than those in the
United States.
The BMJarticle argues convincingly that in fact, American
drugmakers invest three times more money on advertising,
marketing, and administration than on research, and could cut
costs in those areas if they truly wished to.
British Medical Journal October 22, 2005; 331(7522): 958-960
Dr. Mercola's Comment:You are spending three times as much for
drugadvertising, marketing, and administration as for their
research!
Think about that the next time you are faced with a high-cost
prescription drug. Think about that branded calendar in your
doctor's office, or the free sample he or she gives you. Think
about all those annoying ads, selling typically useless drugs
that feature "cute" characters, all designed to separate you
from your hard-earned cash.
The costs of American prescription drugs isn't high because of
research. It's high so that drug companies have plenty of extra
cash on hand to buy off Congress and market their potentially
toxic products to you.
Drug companies and their officials contributed at least $17
million to federal candidates in the 2004 elections,
including:- Nearly $1 million to President Bush
- More
than $500,000 to his opponent, John Kerry
- At least 18 members
of Congress received more than $100,000 apiece
Over the past seven years, drug companies have spent more than
$750 million on lobbying alone-- more then any other single
industry! There are more drug company lobbyists in Washington
than their are members of Congress.
Meanwhile, the drug companies are spending $4 billion every year
to market their products to you ... and another $16 billion
spent trying to influence your doctor to prescribe their drugs
to you.
It is information like this that fuels my vision to spearhead a
movement to replace the existing, broken health care paradigm,
focused on drug-based solutions for curing conditions, and
replace it with one that emphasizes prevention and treats the
true causes of disease.