Drug companies need to work with consumers

To the editor:

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is right about the need to lower drug prices. Importing drugs from Canada gives vital relief to many patients who can't afford what the doctor prescribes. The drug industry flew its public relations expert into your area to blow smoke. They will say and do everything they can to keep their profits soaring.

We can't afford pharmaceutical business as usual. The choice is among three things: suffering and dying for lack of needed drugs, paying ever more, and reform. Is that really a hard choice? It shouldn't be. U.S. spending on drugs already equals half of defense spending. And we give the drug makers almost half of their worldwide revenue. That's heavy lifting for a nation with only 5 percent of the world's people. Given our importance to the drug makers, it also means that we have the financial leverage to get them to pay attention. But we must also proceed carefully to avoid wrecking research to cure everything from arthritis to Alzheimer's. This requires a partnership with the drug makers. They should negotiate with us before our frustration with them elects the angriest Congress in history.

The drug makers' alternative offer is for us to give them more money year after year. But with our spending on drugs doubling every five or six years, the drug makers' dream is our nightmare. Thanks to reporter Scott Moyers for his fair and detailed story.

ALAN SAGER

Professor of Health Services

Boston University

Boston