<<
In a message dated 11/25/98 6:20:28 PM EST, Pigsanki(AT)aol.com writes:
> However, at ú9,500 a year per patient, MS experts fear many of the 8,000
> sufferers who could benefit from the drug will be denied it because of the
> cost
I don't know how that translates into U.S. $, but I have heard that some MS
drugs are very, very expensive. Anyone know what in the world that is so?
What
is it made out of that it would cost so much?
Barbara H. >>
Hi Everyone,
The costs of drugs is in relation to the research manhours spent on
formulating and testing new drugs.The price and upkeep costs of high tech
equipment used by research labs also drives the prices up. Chromatographs and
other analytical equipment costs are approaching the six figure mark,per
each.Some drug ingredients cost very little to obtain and manufacture,in
comparison to the research overhead. Supply and demand(capitalism)further
increases the consumer's costs.
Drug company competition and patent expirations help bring consumer's cost
down.
Wall Sreet,corporate ethics,etc determine the drug company's profit
margin.Unfortunately,at times,price gouging comes into play.
Phil