That’s why we get our dog food from China

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Senate defeated yet another attempt to allow Americans to import less expensive prescription drugs from other countries. I don't think there is a clearer example of the way big corporations run our government than this.

Problem: prescription drugs are too expensive in the United States when compared to the pricing in other countries.

Solution: let people buy them from other countries?! Huh? Wouldn't you think the solution would be to tell pharmaceutical companies - which are among the most profitable businesses in the world - to lower their prices?

Interesting you chose China in your title. I don't trust buying baby formula from China- you think I'm going to buy their Coumadin? I have little doubt that the wheel of our government is greased by the money of big business, but I have to agree with Congress on this one. We have neither oversight nor control over the manufacturing standards that other countries place on their drug manufacturers and therefore it – yes- protects our citizens. (side note: the lack of standards also carries over to why “organic” food is huge pot of b.s., but I digress).
And why are the name brands so expensive while the generics aren’t? Well, there’s actually an answer for that as well, but I got xmas shopping to finish!
Yeah, that was sort of my point -- that they decided to fix this problem by allowing people to buy meds from other countries where they're cheaper (and possibly less safe), when the obvious and safest solution would be to regulate drug company prices. Unfortunately, neither is palatable to our pharma overlords and the owners of Congress.


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