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IPFS News Link • Drugs and Medications

Why Is There So Little Price Competition among Prescription Drugs? Call It "Erectile Pricing.&q

• https://www.cato.org By Michael F. Cannon

Even in a world of soaring drug prices, multiple sclerosis medicines stand out. Over two decades ending in 2013, costs for MS medicines rose at annual rates five to seven times higher than those for prescription drugs generally, found a study by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.

"There was no competition on price that was occurring," said Daniel Hartung, the OHSU and Oregon State University professor who led the study. "It appeared to be the opposite. As newer drugs were brought to market, it promoted increased escalation in drug prices."

That's not how it's supposed to work. New market entrants should bring more competition on price. Drug manufacturers have an incentive to capture market share by reducing their prices. But that seems to be the exception, not the rule. 


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