Standardize Rx Drug Prices

Prescription drug prices are so expensive that the average citizen, especially seniors on fixed incomes, are unable to buy many of their medications. Standardization of physician fees, procedures, and clinical tests has been established for Medicare quite successfully. The same should be done for drug prices based on production and research costs plus reasonable profits.

One can see the greed of some pharmaceutical companies simply by comparing the prices of name brand drugs to their generic equivalent. In addition, the fact that some patients must go to other countries to purchase some drugs which are outrageously priced in the U.S. again indicates sheer greed.

As a 72 year old retired microbiologist, medical researcher, and business owner, I have a basic understanding of costs associated with research and development. Only basic production costs should be considered when establishing the price of a medication. Exorbitant bonuses to executives and sales persons as well as excessive advertising costs should not be included in prices that you and I must pay.

By setting a fixed price on each medication, reductions will be seen in every aspect of healthcare. I commend our physicians and clinical laboratories for doing their part in helping to provide reasonable fees for services. Since the pharmaceutical world refuses to do this, I ask that appropriate legislation be passed to ensure reasonable medication costs to everyone.