Dear Bernie Sanders: Canada is not the United States’ drugstore

[Lunation]

Why limited to Canada?

Canada is a huge US trading partner with whome we already have trade agreements (NAFTA) that reduce tariffs on pharmaceuticals as well as standardize some patent law and safety standards between the countries. Basically Canada is the easy answer for the precise reason the opening post in this thread is bullshit.

And yes they're right next door and have the cheap drugs.

 

[hashtag46]

The cheapest and most reliable place to get prescription drugs from is New Zealand, despite it being a long way away. Their health service is essentially socialized and the drugs are as cheap as you can get. The drugs cannot get into NZ without being government approved, so you know it is good stuff coming out. Many drugs made in USA are cheaper if bought from NZ rather than supplied within the USA

Crazy, Yup.

'Course it's socialism , so must be evil.

A bit tangential to the topic, sorry:
Your post reminded me of a comment made by someone: that a lot of land is being currently bought by non- NZ residents (most of them american), and that many NZers are now paying rent to foreigners. And mortgages are huge too.

The principles underlying their Health System as described, and their Property market seem so incompatible . …
It doesn't make sense to me how two such different mindsets can exist within the same government.


Here are the links:

……

… .s.

 

[Lunation]

A bit tangential to the topic, sorry:
Your post reminded me of a comment made by someone: that a lot of land is being currently bought by non- NZ residents (most of them american), and that many NZers are now paying rent to foreigners. And mortgages are huge too.

The principles underlying their Health System as described, and their Property market seem so incompatible . …
It doesn't make sense to me how two such different mindsets can exist within the same government.


Here are the links:

I don't know anything about NZ specifically. So for all I know you're making this up.

But that makes perfect sense to me.

It's not about socialism. Or capitalism. It's about what works.

Is it an inelastic industry that is necessary for society but unsustainable for individuals to purchase as they need? Then taxes should pay for it. For example, most any civilized person would agree it's ridiculous for the fire department to show up at your blazing house and demand money before they work. You'd pay anything so the price is inelastic and therefor doesn't work in a free market system. It makes more sense to spread that cost out as a tax burden across the community. Health care is very much a similar situation.

On the other hand, do you have an elastic product? Shoes? Hamburgers? Even land? Those are all things that the free market can handle, and the government can stay the hell out of (within reason). Nobody is dying because they have foreign land lords. Though regulating property purchases by people not in the country makes some sense /shrug/

 

[hashtag46]

I don't know anything about NZ specifically. So for all I know you're making this up.

But that makes perfect sense to me.

It's not about socialism. Or capitalism. It's about what works.

Is it an inelastic industry that is necessary for society but unsustainable for individuals to purchase as they need? Then taxes should pay for it. For example, most any civilized person would agree it's ridiculous for the fire department to show up at your blazing house and demand money before they work. You'd pay anything so the price is inelastic and therefor doesn't work in a free market system. It makes more sense to spread that cost out as a tax burden across the community. Health care is very much a similar situation.

On the other hand, do you have an elastic product? Shoes? Hamburgers? Even land? Those are all things that the free market can handle, and the government can stay the hell out of (within reason). Nobody is dying because they have foreign land lords. Though regulating property purchases by people not in the country makes some sense /shrug/

Another good post.
Thanks for answering my question.

Such a good linchpin too.
elastic/ unelastic

Nobody is dying because they have foreign land lords. Though regulating property purchases by people not in the country makes some sense /shrug/

Their short term logic regarding land and public transportation makes sense:
these are non- vital sectors, so it makes sense to apply here too the principles of the free market.

But in the long term, I think this will back fire.
Because they might not be industry sectors" that are vital, but they are still essential to citizens. So some governmental regulation is needed imo.


1.see the disaster with United Airlines.
Or: I read somewhere that the privatization of railway systems in Canada or the US I think was a total disaster. Because the private owners decided to cut costs by laying off janitors vleaning personnel and maintenance people.

2, Or: if more than half of NZ houses or land will be owned by american non - residents.

--- Given that the US dollar is so much stronger than the NZ dollar.
What will happen if they decide to raise rent to untenable prices? You'll find that NZ citizens won't afford rent and will have to move to poor housing areas.
A bit similar to the current trend of gentrification of large cities, only that the stakes are different.

-- Or what will happen 50 years from now, if more than half of NZ land will end up being owned by non - NZers?

 

[water505]

One reason prescription drugs are more expensive in the US is so many other countries' governments regulate their prices and we end up bearing the brunt of it. Pharmaceutical companies need to make a profit just like any other. Drugs are no different from most internationally marketed products.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

What Bernie wants to do is stifle innovation, probably in order to get government involved in picking cures and companies to fund with tax dollars. Then, like so many other countries, we can brag about how inexpensive our drugs are because we do not see the full cost that we pay...

 

[Lancecastor]

Finally, a new topic for geezer pontification... the isolated how much do you pay for your meds thread.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I have one very expensive med, but because I am on it for life, I am able to enroll in a program they offer that leaves me paying nothing after insurance picks up its tab.


That's one aspect that always seems to get ignored in this conversation.

 

[KingOrfeo]

One reason prescription drugs are more expensive in the US is so many other countries' governments regulate their prices and we end up bearing the brunt of it.

That makes no sense at all. Most drugs sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S. Foreign governments' regulation of drug prices has no effect on drug prices here.

 

[water505]

That makes no sense at all. Most drugs sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S. Foreign governments' regulation of drug prices has no effect on drug prices here.

I'm not the least bit surprised it makes no sense to you.

The sum total of your business knowledge would get lost on the head of a pin, and you just proved it.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I'm not the least bit surprised it makes no sense to you.

The sum total of your business knowledge would get lost on the head of a pin, and you just proved it.

Then please enlighten us: How does foreign governments' regulation of drug prices affect drug prices in the U.S.?

 

[NOIRTRASH]

During my 1at term as President Canada will be America.

 

[Hard_Rom]

During my 1at term as President Canada will be America.

'Mere matter of marching' eh?

 

[KingOrfeo]

'Mere matter of marching' eh?

It's never that simple. The resistance guerillas of the Canuckistani Liberation Army will simply withdraw into the narrow passes and caves of their . . . um . . . prairies and tundras . . . please help me out here.

 

[water505]

Then please enlighten us: How does foreign governments' regulation of drug prices affect drug prices in the U.S.?

www.google.com

Fucking dufus. It ain't rocket science.

 

[KingOrfeo]

www.google.com

Fucking dufus. It ain't rocket science.

So ya got nuttin'.

 

[Hard_Rom]

It's never that simple. The resistance guerillas of the Canuckistani Liberation Army will simply withdraw into the narrow passes and caves of their . . . um . . . prairies and tundras . . . please help me out here.

We look like you, talk like you, are smarter than you, have never lost a war and driven you back twice already. First time odds 40-1, next 20-1 and now 10-1. We have the bomb. You will lose many of your favourite TV shows and movies that are filmed here.

I can have my hands on anthrax within 24 hours. Mail a sample with a model rocket to CNN. Launch models rockets when winds favourable over Detroit and Niagara rivers. Just put white power in nose cone. When separation occurs white powder drifts over US cities. Resulting panic will clog invasion routes and force US forces to fight in NBC PPE. Canadian resistance fighters will penetrate vast border easily to conduct similar attacks on Washington D.C. Public opinion will do much damage to US efforts. Scenes of white Christian civilian casualties will not go over well. Overall professionalism of Canadian armed forces will mean that losses to US forces will be bad. Well above 20% acceptable military casualty rate. Quebecers will NEVER yield to the US. Go ahead piss them off. Same as natives. Same go ahead annoy them. World opinion at US imperialism at an obvious resource grab will cost huge in sanctions. Who will the US be able to call an ally or friend? Our head of state is safely living in the UK. Continuity of government is assured. Then will come winter. Think Nappy and Adolph on the way to Moscow. Ottawa is a black fly infested swamp. US soldier morale will be at all time low after a deployment there.

Won't happen overnight. Canada will have a few years to arm. Expect to encounter a large professional technological army fighting for it's homeland with popular support.

No more good TV shows or movies! Think about that!

 

[KingOrfeo]

You will lose many of your favourite TV shows and movies that are filmed here.

Peace!

 

[Hard_Rom]

Peace!

Hit 'em where is hurts! Muwahaha!

 

[Miles]

I'm not the least bit surprised it makes no sense to you.

The sum total of your business knowledge would get lost on the head of a pin, and you just proved it.

It's a pretty valid question and you obviously realized that you said something so stupid even you can't back up your claim.

 

[water505]

So ya got nuttin'.

No, you're either too lazy or afraid to look

or

You found the same reliable sources as me but pretend like there are none so you won't have to admit someone knew something you didn't

or

You're a liar.

I'll take #1 for $2,000, Alex.

 

[KingOrfeo]

No, you're either too lazy or afraid to look

Just tried googling "how does foreign governments' regulation of drug prices affect drug prices in the u.s." -- many results, but none at all relevant to that question. This article gives five reasons why drug prices are so high here, but none have to do with foreign governments.