Intellectual Property and Drug Pricing

Pharmaceutical companies may increase drug prices due to shareholder expectations, patent expiry timelines, anticipating future sales decline, and supply chain disruptions.

Companies often prioritize shareholder satisfaction, as poor stock performance may be addressed by revenue increases, including price hikes.

Companies may increase prices before generic versions of the drug enter the market, anticipating reduced sales after patent expiration.

Drug shortages can lead to increased costs, potentially passed on to consumers as higher prices.

Price increases for patented drugs are often unavoidable and borne by the market.

A significant increase in the prices of prescription medications, often raising concerns about affordability and access to essential medicines.

Legal rights granted to pharmaceutical companies to protect their inventions and discoveries, giving them exclusive use for a period.

The control of a certain medicine by a single entity due to patent protection, which prevents other companies from copying or selling comparable medications.

A dramatic increase in the price of the drug Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 per pill, highlighting the issue of pharmaceutical price gouging.

A parasitic infection often contracted through consuming raw or undercooked contaminated meat.

The ability of patients to afford and obtain prescription medications they need for health care.

The constant increase in prices for pharmaceuticals impacting health care budgets across various countries.

The overall expenses for healthcare system in Canada covering a wide array of services, including drugs.