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13 January 2017 at 2:11 am in reply to: Trump’s Plan to Cut Drug Imports Could Raise Prices, Not Lower #24982
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.
SVR12 Baby! The bad stuff is in the rearview mirror now, brother.
Heartfelt congratulations Sven
12 January 2017 at 11:10 pm in reply to: Trump’s Plan to Cut Drug Imports Could Raise Prices, Not Lower #24974I’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
Ariel wrote:I cannot stress enough
If you are unsure about your HCV and what to do get yourself treated
If you can’t find help it’s right here
If you want cutting edge latest tx come here
If you want real support come here
If you want hope not fear come here
So Thankyou Doctor Freeman and Greg and all at FHCAriel
Amen.
T3man,
First, congratulations on 6 months Hep C free!
Sorry to hear you are still feeling fatigue, and experiencing headaches.
Speaking only for myself, it has taken a while (ca. 2 mos. post SVR12) for my energy to return to anything like normal. No headaches, but I’ve never been prone to them.
I suspect that to an extent there is a long period after EOT during which our bodies are healing from the ravages of Hep C. Those of us like Ariel who have been through treatment with Interferon (which can be particularly nasty) have consequences from that to deal with as well.
Looking back, upon reaching UND, which took a bit longer for me than many of my fellow travelers here, physically it was a bit anti-climactic. Same for SVR4, and SVR12. I was delighted at reaching the milestones, but honestly a bit disappointed with my own progress. I wanted to feel better right away, but find that it is happening at its own pace.
The best advice I can give at this point is to pay attention to your symptoms, bring them up with your GP, and continue to share your experience with us here.
Wishing you a full and glorious recovery,
Fitz
Doxner,
Sounds like you are right where you need to be! For me it took quite some time to feel the energy fully returning.
The generic DAA medications kill the virus pretty quickly, but once the virus is gone our bodies have the monumental task of healing the deep systemic damage caused by HCV.
I remember feeling frustrated because I didn’t seem to be feeling the same level of energy and well being that others were experiencing even early on in treatment. On the other hand, I had lived with the virus for decades, and by the time I received treatment was F3/A3 (very sick, and on my way to becoming much sicker).
Finally, around two months post SVR 12 I am finally re-experiencing what life was like before HCV began to take hold, slowly destroying my body, and draining my vitality, emotional resources, and creativity
This is not a magical “new me”. What I am currently experiencing is simply me without Hep C, with a body and mind beginning to function the way that nature intended.
So Doxner, you are right on schedule! Your body needs to heal, and by resting, drinking plenty of water, and taking care to properly nourish yourself, you are doing exactly what you need to do. Nature will do the rest
Doxner,
While receiving therapy I think we all go through a similar emotional experience. I was quite taken by surprise by the ups and downs, but learned to accept them. From my experience, this is a sure sign that the meds are real and are working.
Dealing with fear and disbelief that the treatment is real, and will actually cure is another item I think we all experience. Not an easy thing to admit when we’re here on the forum supporting one another. After receiving SVR12 results from my physician here in the US, it actually still took some time to accept that the result was real.
The best advice I can offer is to have faith in the process, remember to be patient with yourself and others (this is not always easy!), and most of all to embrace the experience, and to remember the little things along the way, so you can pass that knowledge on to others who will follow.
So happy you are on the path to recovery!
You know it’s interesting. I just saw my GP who complained about the lack of innovation in pharmaceuticals because Big Pharma is busy buying up patents for existing drugs so they can mark them up and maximize returns through acquisitions, rather than from innovation.
I don’t have a lot of time to write tonight, but I want to say this. There is a huge difference between something like a copyright on an artistic work, or a patent for a microchip, and a patent on a life-saving medication without which hundreds of millions of people will eventually die.
The answer I think has to be a provision for Eminent Domain, which places public health and welfare first and foremost ahead of narrower interests.
When a groundbreaking drug like Sofosbuvir is developed, the originator should be well compensated ( e.g. development costs X a fixed multiple), and perhaps additional royalties provided based upon bulk distribution (worldwide).
inherent in a pharmaceutical patent is not only the potential to heal and save lives, but also the potential for abuse and extortion by the patent owners. This is the opposite of anything like a free market. Pharmaceutical price abuse has literally broken our healthcare system (in the US).
To allow an originator or patent holder to abuse a patent for a lifesaving medication without limitation is simply as unacceptable as it is unsustainable.
Like anything else that is abused to extent that pharmaceutical patents are, there must necessarily be limits which preserve and protect the public good.
Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you!
I am eternally grateful!
December 31, 2016, Hep C free. Amazing!!!
Amen Beaches. Amen. We are going to KICK ASS in 2017!!!
Already 2017 in OZ. As of this post just less than 3 hours here in the US (NY Time).
Bringing in the New Year Hep C free rocks baby!!! Nothing like it.
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