The fluctuations in the prices of medicines have long been a source of consternation in pharmacy circles. While free markets often lead to low prices, it need not be necessarily so. Having to explain why a tablet that genuinely costs pence to make now costs hundreds of pounds for 28 isn't something I enjoy.
However it rarely makes the national news. This morning was an exception: Phenytoin, an epilepsy drug, has had a sudden surge in price. The reason appears to be that the drug manufacturer has changed from one that was producing it below the cost of manufacture (as a loss-leader) to one that wants to make enough profit to survive in today's economic environment.
Pharmacists have long argued that medicines shouldn't be, despite actions of pharmacy chains and pharmaceutical manufacturers, treated as ordinary items of commerce. This drug is a perfect example: the properties of Phenytoin mean there are very limited options for a competing product to force the price down.
You sometimes win, you sometimes lose when you try to manage healthcare through a free market. Every so often the free market takes it's revenge on you.
And there's no point sulking when that happens.
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