Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8015

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Zara J.
How can States provide affordable pharmaceuticals to the underserved?
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2006 Nov; 17:(4):808-20
http://muse.jhu.edu/cgi-bin/access.cgi?uri=/journals/journal_of_health_care_for_the_poor_and_underserved/v017/17.4zara.html

Abstract:

Advocates of drug price restrictions in the U.S. argue that pharmaceutical companies operate in an unregulated market, free to charge whatever price the market will bear. The pharmaceutical industry insists that these large profits are justified for investments toward discovering new life saving medicines. As innovation wanes, marketing costs soar, and drug profits rise, public interest advocates and state leaders are challenging this justification. This article examines current problems associated with the ability to procure affordable medicines, and examines mounting tensions between the federal government and the states, particularly regarding the states’ ability to negotiate lower prices with drug manufacturers in light of the recent Medicare changes. It provides a brief survey of efforts underway to secure affordable pharmaceuticals for state’s residents, addressing the history and feasibility of using compulsory licensing for producing affordable life-saving drugs with respect to public health, constitutional, eminent domain, and anti-trust issues.

PMID: 17242532 [PubMed – in process]