By Elizabeth R. Rosenthal, M.D.
The New York Times, Letters, Oct. 15, 2013
Re “The Soaring Cost of a Simple Breath” (“Paying Till It Hurts” series, front page, Oct. 13):
Your excellent article about the soaring costs of prescription drugs reveals how successful Big Pharma has been in protecting its bottom line even if it leaves millions gasping for breath because they cannot afford their asthma medicine. Through its tremendous lobbying power, this consistently profitable industry has punished American consumers with drug prices way above those of any other country.
As a volunteer Medicare rights counselor, I have seen elderly people who must choose between buying their prescription medications and buying food. It is shameful that our government allows this to continue.
If all members of Congress had to pay top dollar for their prescription drugs and those of their spouses and children, maybe they would understand. Maybe then we would have sensible negotiation of drug prices.
Dr. Elizabeth Rosenthal is a dermatologist. She resides in Larchmont, N.Y.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/opinion/the-high-cost-of-asthma-in-america.html?_r=0