| Repeal of ND pharmacy law won’t lower costs |
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| Post date ：2008-11-24 Source：in-forum.com Click：458 |
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I have noted a blitz of radio and television advertisements regarding the North Dakota pharmacist ownership law, implying the repeal of this law will result in lower prescription prices. The ads are apparently being paid for by the big box stores.
I believe this law still has some merit, however it may be time to repeal it since it is no longer serving its original purpose of protecting small-town drug stores due to Internet pharmacies and hospital-owned pharmacies.
It is not the pharmacist-owned pharmacies that are responsible for the high cost of drugs. The increase in prescription prices began after insurance companies started providing prescription coverage. This caused a significant increase in costs due to paperwork and third-party involvement. The patient did not have to pay out-of-pocket at the time he picked up the prescription. Indirectly they began paying more and the pharmaceutical companies saw this as an opportunity to increase the cost of drugs.
Then the pharmaceutical manufacturers realized that if they lobbied Congress and advertised prescription drugs in the media, they could convince the public they needed drugs, regardless of cost, and to ask doctors to prescribe them, which increased the number of prescriptions. The cost of advertising drugs exceeds the cost of research, materials, packaging and shipping. It is the pharmaceutical companies that are responsible for the high cost of drugs not the pharmacist or pharmacies.
Apparently the big box stores are advertising $4 prescriptions. Is this the price they charge for a 10-day supply of antibiotics for your child, a 30-day supply of high blood pressure medication or diabetic tablets for the seniors? The idea that rescinding the pharmacist ownership law is going to significantly lower the cost of prescription drugs is simply not true since the cost is determined by the pharmaceutical companies.
North Dakota law prohibits corporate farming to protect the family farm. The pharmacist ownership law prohibits corporate pharmacies to protect family drug stores. Maybe it is time for legislators to rescind both of these laws.
Knatterud, Bismarck, is a registered pharmacist.
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