Are They Healing You or Robbing You?

Months after the Administration backed Medicare Reform program was initiated the public still doesn't understand it. Seniors and the chronically ill aren't getting their medicines and are paying way too much when they finally are able to buy some. What's not talked about in the entire Media flap is an underlying problem that makes the whole idea of reform ridiculous.

At issue is the fact that the medical process is, and has been, in the pockets of the corporate handlers for years, and yes, the situation is getting constantly worse.The big drug companies in cooperation with the pharmacies are the ones who make the rules and set the fees. Since all they care about is making money all procedures are designed to up their take and to guarantee that nothing stands in the way of the profits. Consider some of the numbers detailed in a recent study by the US Department of Commerce:

Zoloft: 50 mg
Consumer price $206.87
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75
Percentage Markeup: 11,821%

Claritin: 10 mg
User cost for 100 tablets: $215.17
Cost of general active ingredients: .71 cents
Percentage Markup: 30,306%

Prozac: These highly prescribed pills cost the buyer $247.47 for 100 tablets.
Cost of general active ingredients: .11 cents per pill Percentage Markup: 224,973%

These three massively advertised and used medications are listed to highlight the shameful pillage of the poor sick consumer's pocket. Remember however, that there are hundreds and hundreds of other pills and potions that are handled exactly the same way. If a person takes any medication whatsoever, it can be said that it is part of the medical scam sham.

The pharmacies get into the act their own way. For example a pharmacist might tell a customer that a name brand would cost $100. for 100 pills but that the generic of the same medication would only be $20. What the druggist doesn't mention is that those 100 tablets only cost him $10.00.

It's bad enough to have the insurance companies and the HMOs stripping people of health care. It's even worse to have the corporate bullies putting people in danger because the cost of their products is so high. Privitizing the medical system was dreamed up to start the eventual death watch for the whole of the Social Services program, and so far, it seems to be working quite well.