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Why Healthcare is So Expensive Part 5 – Pharma Gone Wild
A few days ago a patient of mine developed a cold sore on her lip and wanted a prescription for Zovirax, a medication she had used many times in the past. When she got to the pharmacy, I got the dreaded call that the medication needed a prior authorization. For Zovirax? So strange, since its a common med and is inexpensive.
Well I did a little research and found out that Zovirax was recently sold by its original manufacturer to Valeant, a drug company that is known for buying small drugs and jacking up the prices dramatically. It turns out that a small tube of Zovirax now costs $2500. For an ointment for cold sores.
What the heck is this all about? How is it possible that it is legal for a company to corner the market on a common and old drug and makes it extremely expensive? Unfortunately it is entirely legal.
Academic OB/GYN 