Man that thread spun off topic quick - and far.

The price differences for the same drug and the
reasons given for why they're cheaper in some
places and not in others - and unfair competition
etc. was interesting.

Note: drug companies keep telling us that they
spend millions and millions of dollars on R&D,
and millions and millions more on drug trials and
complying with government regulations. That's
the line they give - to the consumer. On the
other hand, when it comes to investors, the
Annual Report goes the other way - Look At
How Long We've Been Making A Lot of Money,
How Much We Made Just Last Year and Here's
How Much More Money We Plan To Make This Year!

Look at the percent of spending vs return on
investment of the major industries. Compare
the rest to The Drug Industry. Notice that they
consistently out perform all the other industries?
Why? Well EVERYONE gets sick, gets injured and
gets old. The closer you get to DEAD, the more
you'll pay to not be DEAD. And there's a sweet
spot in their market demographics - old enough
to have the money to spend to not only not
be DEAD, but the money for Viagra / Cialis etc.
To add the advantage of stability and predictability
to the mix - NOTHING they need to make their
product comes from The Middle East!

To paraphrase Evita Peron (made famous by
Madona in the role of Evita in the Broadway
Hit - EVITA!). "Don't cry for me - prescription
drug con-soom -ers.".

charlie b

ps - check NAFTA. Note that the drug industry,
legal and illegal, are exempted.

ok - rant mode OFF