Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics

Abstract

Building Blocks of High Drug Prices

Richard George Boudreau*

As with everything to do with high costs in any part of U.S. healthcare, high costs of pharmaceuticals didn’t happen overnight. Nor has there been one reason for where we are now. Unsurprisingly, there were several factors behind the current causes.

Barrueta was absolutely correct with his timeline, in that the U.S. experienced higher pharmaceutical costs, due to factors launched in the late 1980s. However, while the late 1980s and 1990s are considered the time during which pharmaceutical prices really began taking off, it’s also important to understand the history of pharmaceuticals, how they shaped the U.S. healthcare system and how and why they ended up becoming as expensive as they are now.

Published Date: 2024-09-13; Received Date: 2021-01-20