But I've also heard these are off-patent and their profits will not dwindle to the size of their brains, despite their PR otherwise.



My italics. I had caught from a news program that the target is for the biggest and most expensive drugs, which are denoted as: diabetes, cancer, autoimmune, and heart disease, as I recall. I remembered, because these are largely chronic diseases caused by poor diet.

The 10 drugs treat diseases common in Medicare Part D, such as blood clots, diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease, officials said.

Medicare's first drug price negotiations will focus on insulin, blood thinners and more. The ten drugs are:

Eliquis
Jardiance
Xarelto
Januvia
Farxiga
Entresto
Enbrel
Imbruvica
Stelara
Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill; NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; NovoLog PenFill

Big Pharma and Big Junk Food aren't exactly the same companies, I know. But they certainly want to be.

I wonder if BigPharma will require Medicare to not mention lifestyle changes as alternatives to lifelong prescriptions to clinch the deals? Big Pharma would want a guaranteed and ever-increasing supply of clients for life if it is going to accept less money per dose. Or perhaps they will require certain "standards of care" (like putting T2 diabetics on insulin) that will increase the number of drugs requried over time?

All excellent points, but there was some quick thing that lowered the insulin price drastically, from public outcry as much as anything else. We need our health information to be free and accurate, and legislating that will take much longer.

However, we can pressure media to show PSAs about things are are clear and unfogged by big money concerns. That's how the US lost public education on civics, and how we can get it back, as well.

Making it public will do more good than anything else, since everyone is fed up with the cost of drugs. I have influenced more than a few to ask their doctor for a drug inventory. Often, they can whittle down to nothing with lifestyle changes.

The biggest problems is they won't stick. The ones who do are also ambassadors. That's going to be the biggest influence of all.

Reminds me of the people who saw me years later and asked DH if I was still on Atkins. Then sadly confirm, "You have to stay on it."

Why that's even a question will forever baffle me.