Although cancer is a global problem, treatment is hardly uniform across countries. Due to largely unregulated drug pricing in the US, cancer patients in the states typically pay drastically more than patients living in other parts of the world.
Another study from 2017 found that, in the US, cancer drugs tend to become more expensive the longer they’re on the market, which is the opposite of what you’d expect as newer options are made available. But, newer drugs were more expensive than older ones. These price hikes didn’t appear to correspond to improved treatment, either.
These are retail prices, so don’t necessarily represent out-of-pocket expenses. The team did not account for health insurance, or some of the cost-cutting options (coupons, essentially) drug makers occasionally offer some patients.
The House and the Senate held separate drug-price hearings, during which lawmakers floated the idea of shortening the length of time pharmaceuticals patent. But don't hold your breath.
The House and the Senate held separate drug-price hearings, during which lawmakers floated the idea of shortening the length of time pharmaceuticals patent. But don't hold your breath.
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