Pharma monopoly = expensive drugs

[A Former User]

As a family advisor, I meet families whose children have a rare disease, and the life-saving medications these children have to take can sometimes cost over $1 million. The last video on this page explains a common dilemma for those facing these huge barriers, and that the pharma companies do this purely for profit, as the research is often carried out by universities, financed by the public purse.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/outrageous-price-approval-a-concern-for-drug-to-treat-deadliest-genetic-disease-afflicting-children-1.3292642

[A Former User]

I don't know a whole lot about this but here are some thoughts.

It used to be that the government developed drugs then it was taken over by the drug companies. To be fair, some of the companies will underwrite expensive drugs on a case by case basis.

As we saw last year, the drug companies can charge whatever they wish. There is no stopping them unless we regulate the costs and/or buy in bulk.

Personally, I think it would be great if this was handled by the government. Perhaps farming out the research to the universities as is done now by the drug companies.