Pharma greed - US vs UK?

The US is without a doubt the worst country for drug prices on the planet. Developing a new drug here costs around a billion dollars. Mounjaro launched late in 2022 and made almost $300 million. Then over $5 billion the next year, and over $11 billion last year. And they have a dozen years left on the patent. Those numbers are just for Mounjaro, not Zepbound.
 
Oh please, like we should believe anything Eli Lilly says. It's the 'worst' for their profit margins.
 
It's awful how American pharma companies basically rob the public for meds. Or you could replace 'pharma' with 'insurance' or 'healthcare system.' It's all about profits over health.
 
Most Americans who are paying attention feel the same way. They'd rather treat you forever than cure you once.
 
My BMI was 57 before my first shot in May 2025. No insurance coverage at all. I haven't heard of anyone around here getting a GLP-1 covered for weight loss. Some plans will cover weight loss surgery, but you have to jump through hoops. I had a sleeve in 2016 and paid out-of-pocket. I got down to a BMI of 36 for a year before my weight crept back up.
 
The color of the tie on the commercial is more important than real policy change. Back to the original post, I also like making more money for a longer time without competition. That's the US drug market. Pharma doesn't get the same pricing power in the UK, so it's a tougher market.
 
I think long-term health outcomes are the best argument for single-payer insurance. We know obesity increases healthcare costs. Managing obesity will lower costs and payouts. Insurance companies don't want to pay now for something that benefits the next company. They're against paying upfront for long-term gain.

More regulation will make the market more efficient. Insurance efficiency benefits from the largest possible customer pool.
 
I saw a news story about a woman named Sabina Hemmi whose compounded weight loss med jumped from $550 to $875 a month. She created a website to compare prices. I'm going to check it out.
 
I'm shopping around for GLP-1 options. My doctor is willing to prescribe, but insurance won't cover. I'd prefer the name brand. Any recommendations?
 
Wegovy with a GoodRx coupon is around $350 a month at the highest dose! It's less at lower doses. Just Google 'GoodRx Wegovy Coupon' and show it to the pharmacy. They can tell you the price before filling it. Good luck!
 
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