I have a very bad allergy to peanuts and can't be anywhere around them. What the makers of the epi-pen is doing now and raising prices by over 400% is nothing but greed and stupidity. I read today that they're stock has tanked and people are trying to boycott them as hospitals, doctors and EMS are trying to find other sources that are cheaper.

 

1) buy epinephrine

2) buy syringes for diabetics (tiny, tiny needles!)

3) put the one in the other

4) buy a small case intended for prescription glasses

5) put the syringe in the case along with a bit of foam to keep it from rattling

6) keep the other $390 for better uses.



The epi-pen is currently expensive because the federal government recently crushed a viable competing product and we have a strong patent system to provide incentive for innovation. They cost about half what they cost in the USA, in Mexico. But you don't NEED an autoinjector. Hell you can even refill your epi-pen if you're clever.



This is only something to be upset about if you just can't stand to keep reporting on Hillary's pay-for-play wickedness while she was secretary of state. Gotta distract the masses somehow, hey I know let's kick up a fuss about something that's been going on for years!

 

Cause the election is the only thing happening right now. Where's my rolleyes emoji?

 

It really is a useless distraction. Whether from the election or anything else. There are alternatives out there and there is no reason why the gov't should be getting involved in it. It should be a free-economy and if they want to jack prices to where people can't buy their product, then that's their decision. Instead of crying for the gov't to help, go buy something else, boycott their sh*t, and watch their stock plummet.

 

+1

aslo their stock is plummeting.





This is just like the aids mediation issue, there will be a cheaper alternative in no time because that is how free market enterprise works.

 

Like I said in a FB post I made... Conservatives think "free market" means the ability to make unlimited profit without regulation or limitation. Liberals think "free market" means a level playing field for everyone, always. The answer is in the middle, but with our current political climate of extremism, we'll never get there. Getting there requires compromise and compromise isn't possible when everyone wants it, "my way or the highway". This is why presidential elections, social issues and economic issues have devolved from debates to name calling and s**t throwing. I'll place my money on the table and bet we'll be saying the exact same things 8 years from now.

 

that get sued for IP issues.

 

I'm guessing by your post that you agree with the gov't getting involved with this issue? Why is that when there's clearly alternative medicines involved and no monopoly exists in this case?

 

While the Epipen is a cool device, an epinephrine injection kit is basically one extra step for the cost of a halfway decent sandwich and does the same thing. If you're not willing to inject yourself in a life threatening situation, pay the stupid tax and buy the Epipen.

 

Not with this issue in particular. With placing some restriction on the "free market", to control price gouging. There should be a benefit to society as a whole for long term patent protections. We, as a civilized society, agree that if you develop a new product, you should be allowed to be the exclusive seller of that product for many years as long as you agree that you will not charge a fee that is considered to be exorbitant. Of course, the definition of "exorbitant" will be argued by lobbyists for a few years, but eventually we'll figure out a number that works IF we can stop being extremists long enough to actually have a compromise. This is the middle I'm talking about. I don't see it happening though for the reasons I previously stated. Instead, we'll just keep having this... Companies jacking prices until it becomes news and then their stock tanks. If it tanks far enough, executives will be "shuffled".