10-22-2007
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Secretary of State
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Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 5,661
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Re: It's Official - Babyboomers Start Collecting Social Security
Quote:
Originally Posted by MeadHallPirate
Americano matey -
i have a question, me friend. why cannot pharmaceutical companies feel free to charge different prices for their products, in different countries? i mean, if i own a candybar company, for example, why should i be forced to charge the same amount for that candybar, in every country that i sell that candybar in?
to be open and honest 'bout things, i own me a big chunk of merck stock.
i'm not rich or anything, but i live carefully, spend only what i need to spend, and am hoping that when the time comes, i have a comfortable old age.
from what i have seen, if i become enfeebled in my old age, the only way i can protect myself and my dignity, is with lots and lots and lots of monies.
i want merck to be able to charge lots and lots and lots of monies for its drugs, that is why imma askin' you this question.
-MeadHallPirate (yarrr)
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Any company can charge what it desires for its product(s). If the market will absorb those products at their asking price, they generally have a unique or regulated product in high demand or with a competitive market have correctly judged what they can sell it for to achieve acceptable margin and gain market share. If Canada, Mexico and other countries can buy and distribute those same drugs at 25% of American cost, any universal health plan with one live brain cell would require that its pharmacy purchase only from say Canadian suppliers. To achieve that, legislation would be required to break the political barrier of protectionism afforded big pharmo in its distribution contracts. Another of Rummy's legacies at taxpayer cost.
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