5 ms·
i think companies can charge a lot more because individuals can't import from abroad, so this is an important step on that path
by maximente 7y ago
i think companies can charge a lot more because individuals can't import from abroad, so this is an important step on that path
- alex_anglin 7y ago... until the supply to Canadians becomes affected, making the government impose export restrictions.
- oarabbus_ 7y agoIt's beneficial to both parties once that point is reached.
- londons_explore 7y agoDrug companies might stop selling in canada entirely to protect US profits.
- asark 7y agoDrug companies only have any kind of exclusivity or advantage at the pleasure of governments. They can't go too long playing hardball or countries will just start ignoring their patents.
- rtkwe 7y agoCanada doesn't get lower prices because they can import drugs as individuals. They get such low prices because the Canadian government is the insurance for the whole country and has the negotiating power to actually get lower prices out of drug companies. Medicare part D in the US can't even actually negotiate for lower prices in the US! Allowing import from Canada is just a bandaid to make it seem like they're doing something about the actual problem and will only work as long as we assume the supply of Canadian drugs can absorb both it's own demand and the US demand.
- cal5k 7y agoThis is actually not true. Healthcare is a provincial matter in Canada, not a federal one, and there is no broad-based pharmacare program. Many Canadians have private insurance covering the cost of pharmaceuticals.
- zjaffee 7y agoThis isn't true, Canadian's have private insurance for pharmaceuticals that isn't a part of their broader single payer system for standard healthcare. As a matter of fact, the current proposed medicare for all bill, would go far beyond what exists within Canada in terms of coverage.