[tuna-piano]

I think where we probably agree is that the patent system (which is of course what grants the monopoly pricing power) needs reformation.

I think where we disagree is that I don't think I (or anyone else) knows how much resources society should spend on drug treatments. I strongly believe that the best way to determine how much money society should spend on drug treatments is just to let all the individuals decide how much they should spend on drug treatments (or insurance which covers drug treatments). (This is not saying, however, that you can't have transfer programs which transfer wealth from rich->poor)

In the end, the failures of central planned economies are the same as the failures of central planned sectors, including healthcare.

[emodendroket]

If your choices are to take a drug or die obviously you will do whatever you can to pay, but that hardly means the price is reasonable.

[foota]

I think here's the issue, an individual can only decide to spend on a life saving drug treatment if it exists.