Are Drug Prices too much to live with?

Rx is not working.  Not if you cant afford it. 

The USA has the most expensive healthcare in the world.  The USA is number 69 in quality. 

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I was watching the evening news recently and noticed all the 'cute' commercials of people with unknown 'medical problems' and all the many various new drugs that can help them.  I started paying more attention to the commercials and wondered WHY were the drug companies running Ads directed at ME when my doctor needed to prescribe the medication?  Was it to "make me want the drug?"  Is the plan for me to go to my doctor and request a specific medicine?  (Hell, I cant even pick out the right breakfast cereal, what makes me qualified to pick an Rx?)  So, I got to thinking about the last time I saw an advertisement for Aspirin?  Next I looked at a phone app, GoodRx.  I looked up the cost for the things being advertised during the evening news hour.  I have NO idea what all these meds are for, but I can look up the cost on GoodRx and here is what I found in my quick search:

Arexvy    $293.

Otezla    $4,938.

Nutrufol    $88.

Dupixent    $3,881.

Stelara    $28,410.

Jardiance    $630.

Tyrvaya    $680.

Vyvgart    $6,528.

Velsipity    $6,300.

Tremfya    $14,000.

Rexulti    $1,500.

Ocrevus    $6,583.

Veozah    $570.

Eylea    $2,000.

Rinvoq    $6,590.

Xiidra    $732.

Farxiga    $250.

Prevnar20    $275.

Ozempic    $989.

Mounjaro    $1,100.

Victoza    $830.

Skyrizi    $20,000.

Breztri    $665.

Camzyos    $8,636.

Dupixent    $3,900

Bimzelx    $14,500.

Trelegy    $675.

Sotyktu    $6,515.

Fasenra    $5,200.

Opdivo     $1,325.

Gardasil 9    $305.

Entyvio    $3,115

I assume these are all the cost per month, out of pocket WITHOUT insurance?  Currently I'm taking two medications.  (HIPPA wont allow me to share what they are) They cost me a total of $11. per month out of pocket.  (with my insurance part D, MY total cost is $4 per month)

                        _____________

"The United States health system falls short, bluntly declares the Commonwealth Fund in its recent report, “Mirror, Mirror 2017: International Comparison Reflects Flaws and Opportunities for Better US Health Care.” The study compares the US to ten other high-income countries. The US is by far the top spender, but sinks to the bottom when it comes to measures of outcome, access, and equity."

"The three nations that rank highest in overall health system performance – United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands – all provide universal coverage."

"The U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system of any country."

Quality Healthcare in the World, in order.

1. Singapore
2. Japan
3. South Korea
4. Taiwan
5. China
6. Israel
7. Norway
8. Iceland
9. Sweden
10. Switzerland
11. Netherlands
12. Luxembourg
13. Germany
14. Hong Kong
15. Finland
16. Denmark
17. Italy
18. Belgium
19. Malta
20. France
21. Australia
22. Austria
23. Ireland
24. Slovenia
25. New Zealand
26. Spain
27. Cuba
28. Czech Republic
29. Cyprus
30. Costa Rica
31. Thailand
32. Canada
33. United Arab Emirates
34. United Kingdom
35. Uruguay
36. Colombia
37. Estonia
38. Qatar
39. Seychelles
40. Portugal
41. Greece
42. Malaysia
43. Kuwait
44. Vietnam
45. Slovakia
46. Hungary
47. Sri Lanka
48. Poland
49. Uzbekistan
50. Bahrain
51. Chile
52. Peru
53. Croatia
54. Turkmenistan
55. Oman
56. Saudi Arabia
57. Panama
58. Iran
59. Latvia
60. Argentina
61. Lithuania
62. Belarus
63. Turkey
64. Trinidad and Tobago
65. Bulgaria
66. Albania
67. Jamaica
68. Armenia
69. United States
70. Algeri
71. Mexico
72. Romania
73. Cabo Verde
74. Macedonia
75. Tajikistan
76. Kyrgyzstan
77. Kazakhstan
78. Nicaragua
79. Tunisia
80. Serbia
81. Mauritius
82. Ecuador
83. Brazil
84. Russia
85. Azerbaijan
86. Morocco
87. Indonesia
88. Paraguay
89. Dominican Republic
90. Georgia
91. Belize
92. Cambodia
93. Moldova
94. São Tomé and Príncipe
95. Bosnia-Herzegovina
96. Philippines
97. Venezuela
98. El Salvador
99. Honduras
100. Jordan
101. Ukraine
102. Lebanon
103. Montenegro
104. Guatemala