Trump’s Plan to Cut Drug Imports Could Raise Prices, Not Lower

This topic has 45 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 10 months ago by Gaj.

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12 January 2017 at 9:08 pm #24968
Lilyfield
- Topics: 2
- Replies: 23
- Total: 25
- Treatment Warrior
@lilyfield
From the New York Times today
Here is the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/business/donald-trump-drugs-pharmaceuticals-imports.html?_r=0

Joined forum today to post this worrisome story. I am a lucky patient of Dr. Freeman’s Redemption Trial – 4. Received Panovir 22 days.
12 January 2017 at 9:24 pm #24969
Sven
- Topics: 6
- Replies: 327
- Total: 333
- Guardian Angel
@sven
Quoted: ” Gilead has priced $100k for sobsovir incl treatment costs that can be bought for less than $10k in other countries that has to stop”.
The R& D may suffer for a short term but how can that statemeant lead to a price increase?
Trump is NOT my favorite person but he’s after big Pharma, go get ’em!

You post once, and it’s political in nature. I dont usually comment on the political stuff but all can tell every Clinton advocate will do anything to bash Trump, lets just get lower prices on medicine so all can be treated, not just a few.

This thread should be locked, it is political in nature and not helping anybody here.

Contracted HCV 1980’s
Geno Type 1a
F3 ( doc says once treated I’ll be F2 maybe F1)
Meds shipped 6/17/2016 arrived early 7/2016

Viral count – 3,471,080

4 week quantitative bloods: August 17, 2016. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

8 week quantitative bloods: September 14th. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

11 week PCR RNA Qualitative bloods: September 26th 2016 – Undetected

December 19th 2016: Cured!
Viral count: zero!!!
2018 viral count: still zero!
Cured!
12 January 2017 at 9:32 pm #24970
Lilyfield
- Topics: 2
- Replies: 23
- Total: 25
- Treatment Warrior
@lilyfield
Sorry, if you took this as political. It was not meant as such. I posted out of concern for people who are in the u.s. and might need drugs imported. I am a very lucky patient of Dr. Freeman,s Redemption – 4 Trial and received Panovir 22 days ago. I am in the U.S.
12 January 2017 at 9:45 pm #24971
Sven
- Topics: 6
- Replies: 327
- Total: 333
- Guardian Angel
@sven
Anything political on this site usually is very divisive and not the goal .
It could’ve been very meaningless, but I think the thread should be locked so no divisiveness can exist.
In regards to fixhepc and Dr. Freeman it’s an incredible program and I’m glad that you’re on it, may you be SVR very soon.

Contracted HCV 1980’s
Geno Type 1a
F3 ( doc says once treated I’ll be F2 maybe F1)
Meds shipped 6/17/2016 arrived early 7/2016

Viral count – 3,471,080

4 week quantitative bloods: August 17, 2016. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

8 week quantitative bloods: September 14th. I have been diagnosed as <15 (told undetected)

11 week PCR RNA Qualitative bloods: September 26th 2016 – Undetected

December 19th 2016: Cured!
Viral count: zero!!!
2018 viral count: still zero!
Cured!
12 January 2017 at 11:07 pm #24973
Vororo
- Topics: 25
- Replies: 307
- Total: 332
- Guardian Angel
@vororo
Sven wrote:

This thread should be locked, it is political in nature and not helping anybody here.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I don’t think a thread should be blocked just because it mentions “Trump” or “Clinton”. And everybody wants to know what Trump might do about Big Pharma and drug prices.

Like it or not, drug pricing is a political issue…

Thanks for the post Lilyfield!

Cheers,

William Trump-Clinton
(my new aka)

Diagnosed Jan 2015: GT3, A0+F0/F1. Fatigue + Brain-Fog.
Started Sof+Dac from fixHepC 10-Nov-2015. NO sides.
Pre-Tx: AST 82, ALT 133, Viral Load 1 900 000.
Week4: AST 47, ALT 58. VL < 15 (unquantifiable). Week12 (EOT): AST 30, ALT 26, VL UND Week16 (EOT+4): AST 32, ALT 28, GGT 24, VL UND Week28 (EOT+16): AST 26, ALT 22, GGT 24, VL UND Ever grateful to Dr James. Relapsed somewhere after all that... Bummer! Jan 2018: VL 63 000 (still GT3).
12 January 2017 at 11:10 pm #24974
fitz
- Topics: 9
- Replies: 490
- Total: 499
- Guardian Angel
@fitz
I’m in complete agreement with Sven, Lilyfield. The nature of your post is clearly political, and inflammatory, and does not serve the forum, its members, or its goals.

“sorry if you” is a non-apology. As a forum member from the US you clearly don’t speak for me, or many of your fellow countrymen here who are also active members.

Honestly, we are here to get well. We want you to get well. We don’t care what your political affiliation is, and would rather you keep it to yourself.

Naturally, were delighted that you are receiving treatment through Redemption 4, and look forward to learning about your progress.

I second the request to lock or just remove the thread.

Fitz
13 January 2017 at 12:47 am #24978
Gaj
- Topics: 29
- Replies: 1,402
- Total: 1,431
- Guardian Angel
@gaj
Moderator post: The OP has linked a story about pharmaceutical costs which are a large part of the reason for the existence of this site. Please discuss that and if you disagree with the NYT and its correspondent then present your case against them rather than shooting the messenger.

Thanks
Gaj

G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
13 January 2017 at 12:55 am #24979
Lilyfield
- Topics: 2
- Replies: 23
- Total: 25
- Treatment Warrior
@lilyfield
It was not political and you assume what my affiliation is and that is incorrect. The purpose of the posting was meant to inform those who are in the U. S. who are hesitant/worried/apprehensive about ordering their generics online, to move forward because we are faced with an unknow situation for the future. If you opened the artical, under the heading is a large picture of Cipla. I added that I enrolled in treatment with fixhepc and successfully imported my Panovir.
I have been following fixhepc for almost a year, jumping thru hoops with doctors and Gilead only to be denied. I found great support here and with doctor Freeman.
I apologize and will not post again nor will I log in after this.
So to the forum I say thank you, and am sorry I created an unintentional kerfluffal.
Thank you for your support Vororo and Gaj.
Best wishes to all fighting this dreadful disease.
13 January 2017 at 1:15 am #24980
Tommy
- Topics: 16
- Replies: 88
- Total: 104
- Guardian Angel
@tommy
I was going to post this story to. Glad I didn’t. My intentions of posting was to pretty much say “you better get your meds right now before this “MIGHT” take place”.

Genotype 1A
ALT 473
AST 226
Virus Load 3,119,030
Results as of May-2016
5 week viral load/undetected as of 12/02/2016
Liver Biopsy Results from Feb 2013
Portal/Periportal chronic inflammation and mild interface hepatitis (Grade 2)
Focal Lobular chronic inflammation (Grade 1)
Portal/Periportal fibrosis (stage 1-2 trichrome and reticulin stains utilized)
Negative Iron stains.
13 January 2017 at 1:44 am #24981
Vororo
- Topics: 25
- Replies: 307
- Total: 332
- Guardian Angel
@vororo
Gaj wrote:

Moderator post: The OP has linked a story about pharmaceutical costs which are a large part of the reason for the existence of this site. Please discuss that and if you disagree with the NYT and its correspondent then present your case against them rather than shooting the messenger.

Thanks
Gaj

Bloody well said mate!

Diagnosed Jan 2015: GT3, A0+F0/F1. Fatigue + Brain-Fog.
Started Sof+Dac from fixHepC 10-Nov-2015. NO sides.
Pre-Tx: AST 82, ALT 133, Viral Load 1 900 000.
Week4: AST 47, ALT 58. VL < 15 (unquantifiable). Week12 (EOT): AST 30, ALT 26, VL UND Week16 (EOT+4): AST 32, ALT 28, GGT 24, VL UND Week28 (EOT+16): AST 26, ALT 22, GGT 24, VL UND Ever grateful to Dr James. Relapsed somewhere after all that... Bummer! Jan 2018: VL 63 000 (still GT3).
13 January 2017 at 2:11 am #24982
fitz
- Topics: 9
- Replies: 490
- Total: 499
- Guardian Angel
@fitz
The linked ‘article’ is not a ‘story’, but a strictly political editorial piece full of hand wringing conflation and conjecture and contains no actual ‘news’ about what the incoming administration actually will or will not do.

Given the fact that NYT has morphed into a primarily political rather than news entity, alarm ringing and pearl clutching in a increasingly desperate attempt to hang on to market share, the piece is virtually useless – unless as stated the goal is to panic readers who are on the fence into seeking treatment.

Speaking for myself, knowing that I was very ill, and then being turned down for Harvoni by my US insurance company were reason enough for me.

Now – if you want to have a discussion about how tariffs would affect drug prices. $1,600 US X a 35% import tariff would be an additional $560. bringing the cost of the REDEMPTION 3 Trial (in my case) to $2,160. If someone chose to go directly to say Incepta, or Beacon, that would be a 35% import tariff on $850 (an additional $297.50), bringing the total to $1,147.50.

Whether you go through REDEMPTION and pay a tariff, or buy direct from Bangladesh or India and pay a tariff, the cost for the patient is still a bargain compared to the $80,000.00+ price tag from Big Pharma.

Want to know how an actual business person actually thinks? Not Big Pharma businesspeople – we already know how they think.

1. Unlimited patent derived markup for the first year only, or fixed sum, patent derived mark ups phased out over three years ( e.g. 100%,66%,33% – 0%). Or in the case of lifesaving medicine which is being deliberately withheld to public detriment solely for the sake of profit, apply the principle of Eminent Domain, take the damn patents, and reimburse Big Pharma for their development and/or acquisition costs plus a reasonable return.

2. Get rid of regulations that require US insurance companies to purchase at predetermined (Big Pharma Cartel) prices after year one.

2. Allow insurance companies, and private individuals to obtain their safety tested, quality assured medications anywhere in the world so that drug companies have to compete for business to stay in business.

3. Charge 20% – 35% tariff for US originated medications imported from abroad. This allows domestic companies a slight home team advantage, and a significant amount of money into the US treasury, which in turn can be utilized when it becomes necessary to impose Eminent Domain in the public interest.

Make no mistake, the NYT is a very polarizing and politicized organization with a very targeted and specific political agenda. One can pretend that it isn’t, but that doesn’t change the nature of the beast.
13 January 2017 at 3:04 am #24983
Gaj
- Topics: 29
- Replies: 1,402
- Total: 1,431
- Guardian Angel
@gaj
Thanks Fitz,

3. Charge 20% - 35% tariff for US originated medications imported from abroad.

Wouldn’t this “raise prices, not lower them”?

I ask this because for some (myself included) such an increase would probably not have much impact on our ability to access generic HCV medications but I am well aware of others for whom it is already a struggle to meet even the costs of sourcing direct from Bangladesh or China along with the associated costs for medical care and testing during treatment. We need to keep in mind that HCV can be an extremely debilitating disease and that not everyone with it is lucky enough to still have a continuing income stream that provides them the opportunity to shrug off such increases.

G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
13 January 2017 at 3:44 am #24985
fitz
- Topics: 9
- Replies: 490
- Total: 499
- Guardian Angel
@fitz
Gaj wrote:

“Thanks Fitz,

3. Charge 20% – 35% tariff for US originated medications imported from abroad. [/code]

Wouldn’t this “raise prices, not lower them”?

For the high end patented medications for which Big Pharma is currently getting extortionate prices, and even for the off patent ‘generic’ drugs currently available in the US domestic market — provided the US market were deregulated, and pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide are allowed to compete – not on the ‘grey market’, but head to head in the US market – the answer is a resounding NO!!! Prices overall will drop very, very quickly.

Every manufacturer in the world wants a piece of the US market, tariff or no tariff.

Let US insurance companies and US health care providers buy quality pharmaceuticals in bulk from the lowest bidder, and you’ll see pharmaceutical prices everywhere drop like a rock.

If a 20% to 35% advantage isn’t enough to keep US pharma companies competitive (and it likely is) – Sayonara boys, don’t let the screen door hit you in the ass on the way out!

Also, a US tariff would affect only pharmaceuticals imported to the US, and worldwide price competition would apply downward pressure on pricing worldwide – so I think that would be a ‘win’ for everyone.
13 January 2017 at 4:51 am #24987
Gaj
- Topics: 29
- Replies: 1,402
- Total: 1,431
- Guardian Angel
@gaj
So Gilead making Sovaldi in Ireland using Irish labour and foreign sourced raw materials and mostly paying (concessional) Irish tax rates would import their foreign manufactured drug into the US and pay a 20-35% tariff which would help make them more competitive and allow them to reduce prices for US patients and also help drive the international price down? Or perhaps it would provide them with a incentive to move production back to the US and that would achieve the same ends?

How does a tariff system deregulate the market and allow pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide to compete head to head in the US market?

– Noting that excessive pharmaceutical prices are a worldwide problem and I use the US examples because that was your premise and I do agree that the US market is a substantial one that has a significant influence on international pricing.

G3a since ’78 – Dx ’12 – F4 (2xHCC)
24wk Tx – PEG/Riba/Dac 2013 relapsed
24wk Tx – Generic Sof/Dac/Riba 2015/16 relapsed
16wk Tx – 12/01/17 -> 03/05/17 NS3/NS5a + Generic Sof
SVR7 – 22/06/17 UND
SRV12 – 27/07/17 UND
SVR24 – 26/10/17 UND
13 January 2017 at 5:08 am #24988
re_roll
- Topics: 8
- Replies: 120
- Total: 128
- Guardian Angel
@re_roll
Lilyfield wrote:

It was not political and you assume what my affiliation is and that is incorrect. The purpose of the posting was meant to inform those who are in the U. S. who are hesitant/worried/apprehensive about ordering their generics online, to move forward because we are faced with an unknow situation for the future. If you opened the artical, under the heading is a large picture of Cipla. I added that I enrolled in treatment with fixhepc and successfully imported my Panovir.
I have been following fixhepc for almost a year, jumping thru hoops with doctors and Gilead only to be denied. I found great support here and with doctor Freeman.
I apologize and will not post again nor will I log in after this.
So to the forum I say thank you, and am sorry I created an unintentional kerfluffal.
Thank you for your support Vororo and Gaj.
Best wishes to all fighting this dreadful disease.

No need to apologize. You are new here. Just read some of the posts of the people who have
responded to your post and you should be able to make intelligent decisions about posting
again.

Hope you post again. Personally, I like your style. Keep on doing what you are doing.

contracted Gen 1a in the 70’s, dx in 2007…ast 27 to 35…alt 43 to 96…vl 1.2 mil to 8.6 mil.
biopsy F-2 (2012)..pre tx results 1/23/16 ast 32, alt 46, vl 3.1 mil
tx started 2/11/16…. lab results 2/24/16 ast 18, alt 18, vl <15 IU/ml
28 days later………….lab results 3/9/16 ast 21, alt 21, vl UND
56 days later………….lab results 4/6/16 ast 20, alt 22, vl UND
139 days later………..lab results 6/29/16 ast 28, alt 30, vl UND…EOT
SVR24
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