Byron Dorgan: “I bear no ill will toward this industry. I think the drug industry is a remarkable industry. It does some remarkable…”

“I bear no ill will toward this industry. I think the drug industry is a remarkable industry. It does some remarkable things. We should compliment them for some of the programs they have initiated in recent weeks, for the low income senior citizens. That is a good step. They do some awfully good work. Tamoxifen costs one-tenth the price in Canada; you pay 10 times more if you are an American, that drug resulted from public funding and public research at the National Institutes of Health. So I worry very much that what is happening is that the public is paying for research in some areas and, when the drugs are privatizing, a price is affixed to them that is way out of bounds. I want them to do well and to continue to search for lifesaving drugs. But I think it is important to point out that, when we talk about miracle drugs, Americans who need them will get their lifesaving benefits only if they can have access to them, and can afford them. There are so many Americans who cannot chase double-digit price increases every year.”