Introduction

Why are prescription drugs so expensive?

The truth behind the high costs of prescription drugs / Julie Appleby

Higher education plays an important role in the pharma industry / Annie Waldman

Patent laws keep drug prices high / Matthew Rimmer

Market exclusivity delays the availability of cheaper generic drugs / Zachary Brennan

Drug prices are high for legitimate reasons / Michael Rosenblatt, MD

Why don't insurance companies cover all prescription drugs?

Government-protected monopolies drive drug prices higher / Sydney Lupkin

Consumers are caught in the middle when the interests of drug companies and insurers conflict / Alison Kodjak

Employers should use their power to cut drug prices / Robert Galvin, MD, Roger Longman

Lowering drug prices may mean switching medications / Alison Kodjak

"Medically necessary" drugs are increasing prices overall / Marcelle Arak and Sheila Tschinkel.

What are the ethics behind charging astronomical prices for prescription drugs?

The ethics of pharmaceutical benefit management are blurry / Stephan L. Burton, Lauren Randel, Karen Titlow, and Ezekiel J. Emanuel

Americans spend more on prescriptions than most other countries / Steve Morgan and Jae Kennedy

Nothing stops drug companies from charging the highest market price / AARP

Encouraging competition is the answer to affordable pharmaceuticals / Charles L. Hooper and David R. Henderson

Prescription demand is why Americans pay so much for drugs / Valerie Paris

Will we see legislative changes to the way drugs are priced?

Government reforms can address consumer concerns / Rachel Sachs

Big pharma has too much influence over politicians / Mike Ludwig

Transparency bills are the key to lowering drug prices / Michael Ollove

It's time to rein in exorbitant pharmaceutical prices / Rafi Mohammed

The government doesn't deserve the blame for high drug prices / David Blumenthal, M.D. and David Squires

Pharma companies game the system to keep drugs expensive / Erin Fox.