Pharmaceutical Scam

Gaby has asthma and uses an inhaler. I have read a lot about the outrageous prices pharmaceuticals charge for drugs in the U.S. Below is a short quiz that brings home the point.

Quick Test: what is the difference between these two inhalers? The one on the right costs $6 and the one on the left cost $140 ($20 copay and $120 paid by our insurance company).

Possible Answer:

A. They contain different medicines. (INCORRECT: they are both Ventolin)

B. They were manufactured by different companies. (INCORRECT: the were both manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome)

C. They are different dosages. (INCORRECT: they both have 200 acutations)

D. They were bought in different countries. (CORRECT: the cheaper one was bought over the counter in Jordan and the more expensive one can only be bought with a perscription in the U.S.)