High US Drug Prices

Comments focus on the exorbitant costs of prescription drugs like insulin, Ozempic, and Epipens in the US, comparing list prices, manufacturing costs, insurance effects, and international alternatives.

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US brookings.edu NCD HN www.ted U.S Rise.html en.m UK cen.acs dose insurance drug insulin cost costs year doses pen month

Sample Comments

omgwtfbbq Jun 11, 2021 View on HN

Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that the drug costs over $50,000 per year? Amirite?

yokaze Oct 9, 2020 View on HN

Not if the drug costs US$2000-$3000 per treatment.

Faaak Oct 5, 2023 View on HN

And a simple drug would then cost 1000+ bucks/dose

groby_b Dec 4, 2024 View on HN

It would cost $1k-$2k per dose because in the US you can just make up a price, and profit is God.

mjfl Jun 7, 2022 View on HN

Most people have insurance right? So they won't be paying the $400 per vial?

Spooky23 Aug 11, 2024 View on HN

Probably still cheaper than paying 1000x markups on thing like repatented chemo!

awinder Jan 26, 2017 View on HN

Nitpick: it's $4000 per dose, and you're comparing to the monthly cost

dgreensp Sep 24, 2023 View on HN

Charging $20,000 for a dose? Really?

balls187 Jan 5, 2023 View on HN

The next gen lily drug is expected to cost $1500 for a 30-day supply.The US government stated $18000 per year was a fair price to pay.There is no money in the cure. We sell you the disease, and charge you 5x for the treatment.Fwiw I am obese.

nick0garvey Jun 20, 2020 View on HN

It's expensive but not as bad as you'd think. I didn't have insurance for half a year, and I just called the manufacturer and got a huge discount ($200/bottle -> $35/bottle). One bottle lasts a month or so.This was only due to not having insurance and wasn't need-based - I had earned FAANG income earlier that year and the year before.