It’s about time.
A new bill is poised to make it a federal crime to gouge prices on drugs that are in short supply. This should be great news for people who need help, but can’t afford it because of greed.
Apparently the problem has been growing for quite some time, and shortages have worsened this year. This bill would stop companies from gouging the price on meds sold to hospitals that might seem like they’re in small supply, including things like: drugs for cancer, pain, infections, even liquid nutrition and anesthesia for surgery.
There have even been 15 documented deaths attributed to short supply since mid-2010. There have always been shortages, but new cases of it have tripled since 2006. As of Nov. 30th, there have been 251 drug shortages this year alone.
“Forcing hospitals to buy life-saving medications at outrageously inflated prices is unquestionably unethical, and with this legislation it would be illegal, too.”
We absolutely agree that it’s unethical. Who is really to say that a rich person is more deserving of a medication than someone who can’t afford it?
We just hope that this bill can be passed before any more deaths happen at the hands of greedy pharmaceutical companies!
[Image via AP Images.]
