flipper wrote:

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:40:09 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:


flipper wrote:

First link: The VA Drug Pricing Model: What Senators Should Know

"But the VA does not simply negotiate prices; rather, it **fixes**
prices and then reduces the range of drugs offered to enrollees.
.
.
.
While the VA's pricing practices do not consist of price-fixing
mechanisms alone, they are not "negotiation" either. The VA does not
use its buying power to negotiate with drug companies for lower
prices. Instead, the government, acting through the VA, uses its power
to deny manufacturers market access as a way to extort lower prices.
But these lower prices come at the expense of fewer drugs for
patients."


The VA also imports some medicines and medical supplies from Canada.
Several times my prescriptions were from Canadian companies.

Is that an FYI or is there more to it?


It's one of their attempts to control costs, and provide care for
more Veterans on their fixed budget. If they can't get an item in the US
for the budgeted price, they look elsewhere. Generic medicines, and
things like bandages or other consumables are allowed to be bought
outside the US.


--
Greed is the root of all eBay.