[WSJ] ‘Financial Toxicity:’ Who’s Really to Blame for High Cancer Drug Prices?

File this under ‘the blame game.’

The issue of expensive cancer drugs is hardly new, of course, but 60 Minutes aired a segment that the other night that likely helped highlight the controversy for the mass audience that watches the popular news program. The episode, however, is unlikely to have helped the pharmaceutical industry.

Why? A central theme was that drug makers are overcharging and one explanation offered – none of which came directly from any of the companies that make and sell these medicines – was familiar. An industry trade group says developments costs are high, but also blamed insurers for forcing patients to share too much of the cost and tried to downplay the notion that insurers do not set drug prices.

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