Patent Protection and High Drug Costs: The Pressure Is on

Stories on drug manufacturers' patent-protection strategies suggest that the high costs of some drugs are receiving attention from other health care team members, as well as government officials.

In my last blog, I suggested that community pharmacists have a unique perspective on how high drug costs affect a patient, because they can put a face to the situation.

Now, stories on drug manufacturers’ patent-protection strategies in The Washington Post and HealthDay News suggest that the high costs of some drugs are receiving attention from other health care team members, as well as government officials.

I have always felt that the marketplace can take care of these types of problems, and I still think it is the best way. However, efforts like these are putting pressure on the marketplace to take action.

Will it take a court challenge, or will the manufacturers involved find a way to ensure everyone who needs their drug products can get access to them? Drug manufacturers have already done a lot to help patients who can’t afford a needed medication.

What do you think will happen?