Prescription Costs
Why do prescription drugs cost so much in the USA?
Drug industry lobbying ranks include 26 former members of Congress. All told, 342 lobbyists (51 percent of those employed by the industry) have "revolving door" connections between K Street and the federal government.
Brand-name drug manufacturers spent more than 20 times as much on lobbying as generic drug-makers � $76 million versus $3.4 million. And they employed seven lobbyists for every one hired by their generic counterparts. Biotechnology companies spent $12 million on lobbying.
Since Public Citizen began tracking the drug industry�s lobbying activities in 1997, the industry has spent nearly $478 million lobbying the federal government. In that same period, the top 25 pharmaceutical companies and trade groups gave $48.6 million to federal campaigns. Well over $100 million more went to paying for issue ads, hiring academics, funding nonprofits and other activities to promote the industry�s agenda in Washington. All told, the drug industry has spent nearly $650 million on political influence since 1997.
Profits registered by the 10 drug companies on the list were equal to more than half the $69.6 billion in profits netted by the entire roster of Fortune 500 companies � when all losses are subtracted from all gains. "The drug industry contends that it needs high prices to finance the discovery of new, innovative drugs," Clemente said. "But a closer look shows that drug-makers make far more money in profits than they spend on research and development."
The above information can be found in it's entirety at the Public Citizen
What business is bigger than the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball combined? and some of the nation's best-known corporations are quietly sharing the profits while putting on the front of decency. If your not afraid to look at the darkside read the truth about an ugly we all want to ignore.