The Stark Contrast: The True Cost of Medication Production vs. Retail Prices in the U.S.
The significant disparity between production costs and retail prices for medications in the U.S. highlights critical issues in market dynamics, patent laws, and regulatory frameworks favoring pharmaceutical companies. For example, the cost to manufacture insulin is around $2 to $6 per vial, but its U.S. retail price can exceed $200. Such discrepancies result in elevated healthcare expenses for patients, underscoring the potential benefits of considering generics and international alternatives to manage costs more effectively.