[TheForge] One more thing: (was:] New Pharmaceuticals)

[Bruce Freeman]

One more thing.  Pharmaceutical companys all have programs to give away
drugs to needy Americans.  No one in this country need suffer because a
drug is expensive.  

They DO have to make a choice.  Just like going on welfare - you don't
get to keep the farm, unmortgaged!  You MAY have to spend money on your
prescription that you'd rather spend on your RV, a new power hammer, or
cigarettes.  Your choice.  

If you don't HAVE the money at all, though, the pharmaceutical company
might just GIVE you the drug you need for free.  Interested persons
should pursue this through their doctors, but they can research it at
the website of the pharmaceutical company.

I know this doesn't fit the image of the greedy drug company that
politicians like to wave in front of you.  However, drug companies are
made up of people, highly educated people, with a clear understanding of
the problems of Americans.  Research scientists spend their days trying
to come up with remedies for terrible illnesses.  They WANT those
remedies to get to the public.  

Bruce
NJ

>>> FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com 9/30/2004 1:17:52 PM >>>
Yes.  That's true.  
Mind you, most pharmaceutical companies GIVE AWAY drugs to third world
nations.  The smallpox eradication project headed up by the WHO was
largely carried out by pharmaceutical companies.  Tsetse fly
eradication
is supported by pesticide manufacturers.  They do this without
expectation of profit.
Think of it as American charity to the world.
However, drug companies are NOT "discounting" drugs to other
countries,
if I understand correctly.  Rather, they are selling against contracts.

A large contract gets a lower price.  I could be wrong.  I have a
limited perspective on this, too.
Bruce
NJ