Pharma Companies Jack Up Drug Prices When People Need Them The Most, Report Claims

[eppur_se_muova]

Disgusting.
CHARLOTTE HU, BUSINESS INSIDER
20 SEP 2018

Drug shortages are a constant problem burdening the US healthcare system.

Earlier this year, hospitals starting running out of epidurals, typically administered to women when they give birth. That's adding to the aftermath of last year's Hurricane Maria, which disrupted the supply of saline and other intravenous fluids.

A new study published by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, UPMC Health Plan and Harvard Medical School in Annals of Internal Medicine found that on average the prices of drugs increased more than twice their usual rate.

No clear reasoning was found behind why the prices increased so drastically, but researchers suspect that manufacturers were exploiting shortages to charge more for drugs in high demand.

The study also found that prices rose even faster for drugs where there was less competition.
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more: https://www.sciencealert.com/pharmaceutical-companies-almost-double-their-drug-prices-during-shortages
https://www.businessinsider.com/pharma-companies-increased-drug-prices-by-nearly-double-during-shortage-2018-9?r=US&IR=T

[exboyfil]

1. Of course they do

Your life is about the most absolute inelastic demand curve you will see. Combined with the fiduciary duty to maximize shareholder value, then this is the only logical result.

[procon]

2. Supply and demand, profits over people; its the core of capitalism. nt

[democratisphere]

3. Big Pharma is just a part of The American Criminal Enterprise Healthcare System

that continues to price gouge and run amok.