Drug Makers Hike Prices, Lobby Hard As Reform Efforts Progress

[HuckleB]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171153.php

"Drug makers are bracing for reform by raising their prices - by 9 percent in the last year, perhaps the fastest rate since 1992, The New York Times reports. This happened "even as drug makers promise to support Washington's health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation's drug costs after the legislation takes effect." The increases "will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year."

"Drug makers say they have valid business reasons for the price increases. Critics say the industry is trying to establish a higher price base before Congress passes legislation that tries to curb drug spending in coming years" (Wilson, 11/15).

..."

The link to the NY Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/business/16drugprices.html

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Related, and reported in the Medical News Today story:

In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/us/politics/15health.html

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I have one comment to add: Ugh.

[cutlassmama]

1. Piranhas.

[HuckleB]

2. They're actually not bad when you fry 'em up.