[shellkr]

You have countries while they had state monopoly over prescription drugs it was much cheaper than after deregulation. The reason for this was that medical companies was forced to reduce prices if they wanted to sell their drug in that country. They could chose from selling to a country and get a small profit.. or no profit at all. (Here the power lies with the customer)

The reason for high prices is IP. If you are in the choice of getting that expensive prescription drug that treat your hart disease or die.... you will pick the drug. No competition exist. (Here the power lies with the seller).

So to get reasonable prices you either have to remove IP or have a country wide monopoly. Else the free market rule.