1000 Do you know why Canadian drugs are cheaper?

“It is imperative we all clearly understand why such a significant price disparity exists between U.S. drug costs and those in most other developed nations. If we don't understand the factors underlying the price gap, we might support the pending irrational Senate legislation -- sponsored, among others, by Sens. Byron Dorgan, North Dakota Democrat, and John McCain, Arizona Republican -- which would cripple the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, regarded as the world's most innovative. This would deprive us, and our children and grandchildren, of the blockbuster drugs of the future.

Today's new lifesaving, life-enhancing pharmaceuticals, almost all developed and produced in the U.S., are cheaper in Canada because international law treats prescription drugs differently than other consumer products. U.S. pharmaceutical companies are required under a 1994 treaty to sell their drugs at drastically cut prices to countries with drug price controls. Any pharmaceutical company that fails to comply risks losing its patent protection -- its drugs can be stolen and copied.” Elizabeth Whelan, Washington Times, April 18, 2005.

Do some research. Look at other industries. When have price controls (including rent controls) ever helped the American consumer in the long run? The end result is shortages. What if you produced a product, were then required to sell it below profit to another country in order to stay in business, and then required to stand by as it was illegally imported, cutting into your American market? How long would you stay in business? You should be particularly concerned if you or a member of your family will have any future health problems that might benefit from drugs now being developed. And of course, you have no way of knowing, do you, what might turn up at your next annual check-up.