[mike10921]

I'm the last to defend the drug companies, but at a basic level, they get the right to sell at high prices because of the cost to bring to market which is absolutely enormous. Once it goes to market the cost of producing the drug is often very low compared to the price but it's in order to encourage companies to invest in future drugs.

[LadyCailin]

In this case, the drug is 30 years old. I’d say any cost to bring to market is well paid now, and even if it isn’t, this is why the public should fund the research via taxes, not locking profits up via corporate entities.

[s1artibartfast]

The product is long off patent. The only thing stopping someone from selling it cheaper in the US is the government itself and limited economic returns.

[reaperman]

Sure, but it's only the USA paying the most truly ridiculous prices. They're usually quite affordable in the rest of the world.

[mike10921]

The reason is that labs can decipher the drug contents and produce the drugs at a fraction of the cost. Of course, these companies never paid for the research and cost to bring to market. So yes US citizens end up carrying the cost, but in practicality, a very big number of life-saving drugs originate in US companies. I am definitely not defending these companies just pointing out the basics.