3 ms·
This is completely evading the truth. Big pharma is protected by legislation. There are restrictions to importing medicine from other countries. There is even l
by 1cvmask 5y ago
This is completely evading the truth. Big pharma is protected by legislation. There are restrictions to importing medicine from other countries. There is even legislation preventing the world's biggest buyer (the US government) of drugs from negotiating prices downwards:
When Medicare Part D was passed in 2003, lawmakers included the “non-interference clause,” which essentially prevents the federal government from stepping in to negotiate prescription drug prices.
https://www.alec.org/article/should-the-government-negotiate-prescription-drug-prices/ https://www.alec.org/article/should-the-government-negotiate...
- simonw 5y agoDo you think Cory Doctorow avoided mentioning that for bad faith reasons, or do you think he just didn't mention it because he didn't feel it was relevant to the story he was covering here?
- huitzitziltzin 5y agoHaving read commentary of his on antitrust and economic issues, I think it’s entirely possible he just doesn’t understand. Certainly that is the case in his commentary on economics.
- gruez 5y ago>or do you think he just didn't mention it because he didn't feel it was relevant to the story he was covering here? I feel like the regulatory environment that enabled such "price-gouging" is very relevant to the story he's covering.
- simonw 5y agoI agree that it's relevant - but I don't think that means it warranted mentioning in the story. The specific new piece of information here is that newly released documents show that McKinsey have been helping pharma companies figure out how to extend their patents. At some point you have to stop adding extra background information to an article, otherwise it will never end!
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- fakedang 5y agoIs McKinsey helping pharma companies to price gouge? Or is it simply advising them to take advantage of the current set of legislation in the most optimal way possible? McKinsey is not responsible for drafting the legislation. It's simply advising what's best for its clients in the current context. I see it no different than a lawyer advising his clients to never talk to the police - simply because it is allowed by legislation. Or a tax advisor advising his clients on the best ways to minimize their taxes, which is once again enabled by the legislation.
- croes 5y agoOne word: lobbying
- nceqs3 5y agoOne word: PBMs