Prescription Drug Miebo Costs $800 in U.S. vs. $20 Over-the-Counter in Europe
By
geox
Master baker tier. Every paragraph earns its place on the tray.
Summary
The article reveals stark differences in drug pricing and accessibility between the U.S. and Europe, using Miebo (EvoTears) as a case study. While the same dry eye medication costs $800+ per month with a prescription in the U.S., it's available over-the-counter in Europe for about $20. The author personally ordered it online from an overseas pharmacy for $32 and received it within a week. The piece highlights how pharmaceutical companies exploit regulatory differences and market dynamics, citing a 2021 RAND study showing U.S. prescription drug prices average 2.5 times higher than in 32 other developed nations.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledA month's supply of Miebo, Bausch & Lomb's prescription dry eye drug, costs $800 or more in the U.S. before insurance. But the same drug — sold as EvoTears — has been available over-the-counter (OTC) in Europe since 2015 for about $20.
This is, of course, both shocking and unsurprising.
A 2021 RAND study found U.S. prescription drug prices are, on average, more than 2.5 times higher than in 32 other developed nations.
Miebo exemplifies how some pharmaceutical companies exploit regulatory differences and market dynamics.
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