The Pharmaceutical industry must be put the spotlight; Consumers are demanding answers, transparency and accountability

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Sitting in my family doctor’s lobby waiting to be seen, I happened to speak with an elderly lady nearby. She was waiting to see the doctor, but had been there previously and told to go buy the medication she would need the doctor to inject her with. The small vial cost her over $800.00, and the doctor would charge her a further $125.00 to inject her. She looked downcast and said her husband was on particular medications not covered by Ontario Health Plan, to the amount of $450.00 a month. Imagine senior citizens who at that stage in their life are watching their nest egg diminish before their eyes.

I also have experienced this phenomenon, where the ailment you suffer from has medication that will alleviate the pain you’re experiencing, but the medical insurance you have has disallowed it, making it payable in cash.

I have an immunity disease with no cure called Oral lichen Planus. If you have it on your body, an application of medication will hopefully alleviate the pain, but since it is in my mouth, I endure severe pain each time I eat, drink something cold or hot, consuming anything granular that irritates my gums, cheeks and tongue. Just a lot of pain! Every medication I have experienced, from laser therapy, to mouthwashes full of steroids are not covered by OHIP.  I have to invest in mouthwashes that cost hundreds of dollars, to laser therapy at $600.00 a pop.

The medical profession looks upon the elderly as a source of revenue, since they are traditionally savers, and go about issuing prescription after prescription of medication to mask the pain, and hopefully eradicate the disease. Hundreds of prescriptions have increased in cost in 2022 by 5-55%. We are told the reason for this is that many of the patents held by various pharmaceutical corporations will end, and their monopolistic control of manufacturing and distributing the drugs will end.

Now, these Corporations have seen fit to pick your pockets as quickly as possible, fearing that governmental action to protect consumers will happen. Brand named drugs make up only 20% of total drugs made, but these also make up to 80% of total prescription drug costs. Also, the price of these brand name drugs has increased by 60% since 2014.

How do they get away with this you may ask?

There is a total lack of transparency regarding drug prices. There is a less competitive market stemming from mergers and acquisitions among manufacturers. There is also limited ability from other parties (Medicare and OHP) to negotiate better drug prices.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has found that 24% of medication users admitted that they were experiencing difficulty affording their medication (2000). By 2021 that percentage had increased to 43% and was still rising.

Medication and medical procedures are falling out of many people’s budgets. Seniors have begun to not buy these expensive drugs, but look for alternatives or go cold turkey.

I have been invited to get involved in an experimental procedure to fight my condition. The medical professionals have admitted they are experimenting on me to further their research and it will cost me $1,500.00 with no guarantees provided.

I don’t think so.

I have been suffering from this condition for years and have developed a tolerance to the pain. It is a shame that those who are suffering pain and diseases must grin and bear it, while the government holds off putting the pharmaceutical industry in the spotlight demanding answers, transparency and accountability to their consumers.