The post examines three major issues with generic medications: barriers to market entry, problematic FDA initiatives, and inconsistent pricing across pharmacies.
Longer summary
This post discusses the problems with generic medications in the United States, focusing on three main issues. First, it explores why competitors don't easily emerge to challenge price gouging, using the example of Daraprim's price increase. The author suggests that FDA approval processes, including bioequivalence studies, create significant barriers to entry. Second, it critiques the FDA's Unapproved Drugs Initiative of 2006, which allowed companies to gain exclusive rights to public domain drugs by conducting studies, leading to price increases. Finally, it highlights the wide price disparities for generic drugs at different pharmacies, suggesting that comparison shopping can lead to significant savings.
Shorter summary