Discussion 2

New drugs are expensive in the U.S.

For example, there are new pain relievers to treat severe arthritis, but they cost $150 a month, nearly 20 times more than previous pain relievers. A new biotech drug, Enbrel, to treat rheumatoid arthritis can cost $1,500 a month.

Which factors have contributed most to the sharp increase in drug expenditures? Discuss all possible factors. Are rising drug expenditures necessarily bad? And how to control drug costs?