Rituparna Basu--How Much Is Too Much For A Lifesaving Drug 09.Sep.14

Rituparna Basu of the Ayn Rand Institute joined us today. There's a new breakthrough treatment for Hepatitis C called Sovaldi. Unfortunately, it costs $1000 per pill. It's so costly that the government and insurance companies are rebelling against the Gilead Pharmaceuticals, the developer. Should everyone in society have access to a new treatment, regardless of the cost? Should the government institute price controls to that end? Will it destroy innovation as a result? These types of questions will become more common as these types of drugs hit the market in the future, so the issues must be addressed now rather than later. We need policies that insure innovation continues while allowing the widest access possible.