Big Pharma topic for Comp 2.

1. Big Pharma
Grace Nardi

2. About My Topic: Big Pharma
My research topic is the pharmaceutical industry and what they are doing to
consumers. They tend to manipulate consumers into paying hundreds of dollars
for the smallest doses of prescriptions. I feel the need to talk about this topic/issue
because this industry is forcing money out of people and using patents to do so.
The government could do something to step in and help the consumer but nothing
is being done. Also the pharmaceutical can be blamed with the nation’s opioid
problem. This industry is toxic for the consumer and all the companies care about
is the money.

3. History
Big Pharma has always been successful. They tend to overcharge for the drugs
that consumers need but there has been some recent price hikes. In January
2019, many companies decided to raise the price of their drugs. Allegran Plc
raised prices on more than 50 drugs. Other companies like Mylan, are selling a
two pack of Epi-Pens for $600 while their generic is half the price. Back in 2007, it
used to be $100 for a two pack.

4. Players/Individuals Involved in Big Pharma
1. Mylan
2. Eli Lilly
3. Allegran

5. Questions
1. What can the government do to help this problem?
2. Why can patents be used for pharmaceuticals over a longer span of time than
usual patents?
3. Is this considered a monopoly?
4. What are the CEO’s of these companies willing to do for these people?

6. A viewpoint I disagree with
Some believe that a lot goes into making pharmaceuticals whether its research or
producing them so the price should be higher. I believe that a company should be
able to make a profit off their product but to completely rip off their consumers is
unjust. The CEO of Mylan-the company raising prices of EpiPens- states that an
increase in price is justified because of the introduction of the generic version.

7. Works Cited
Brumley, James. “6 More Pharma Names Selling Overpriced Drugs.” InvestorPlace, InvestorPlace, 26 Aug. 2016,
investorplace.com/2016/08/pharma-overpriced-drugs-gild-mnk-nvs-pfe-sny-regn/.
Drake, Daniela. “Big Pharma Is America's New Mafia.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 21 Feb. 2015,
www.thedailybeast.com/big-pharma-is-americas-new-mafia.
“Mylan CEO Says EpiPen Price Increase Was Necessary as the Company Introduces a $300 Generic Option.” PEOPLE.com, Time
Inc, people.com/bodies/epipen-price-increase-was-necessary-says-ceo-as-they-create-300-generic-option/.
“Welcome to 2019: Big Pharma Hikes Drug Prices across the Board, Insisting America Isn't Yet Paying Enough of Its GDP to the Drug
Giants.” NaturalNews.com, 8 Jan. 2019, www.naturalnews.com/2019-01-08-welcome-to-2019-big-pharma-hikes-drug-prices.html.