Byron Dorgan: “I will speak about the prices charged for prescription drugs in this country versus the prices charged elsewhere in the…”

“I will speak about the prices charged for prescription drugs in this country versus the prices charged elsewhere in the world for the identical medicine. These two bottles are slightly different but they contain the same pill. Both bottles are for a wonderful drug called Zocor, which is used to lower cholesterol in patients. It is a medication that a lot of people use. I commend all those who did the research to create these kind of drugs. But to those who decided the prices that ought to be charged for these medications to various citizens around the world, I don't say good job. Let me describe what has happened. In both bottles are the same pill, in the same dosage, made by the same company, perhaps made in the same manufacturing plant, approved by the FDA. Once the medicine is approved by the FDA, the FDA approves the manufacturing plants, and the company produces the drug for sale. This bottle they sent to Canada. They say to the Canadians: Do you want to buy some Zocor? It will lower your cholesterol. It is $1.82 per tablet. This other bottle they sent to Grand Forks or Minot, ND, or anywhere else in the U.S. To Americans they say: Do you want to buy some Zocor? Well, you will have to pay $3.82 per tablet. $1.82 and $3.82, why the difference? That is something we ought to ask the drug companies.”