Libertarians have solutions for high prescription prices

In the Monitor’s Aug. 26 editorial headlined “Congress, FDA must act on drug prices,” it was pointed out that drug pricing by Big Pharma is exploiting consumers.

First I want to thank you for not recommending price controls on drugs. We only need to look at Venezuela to see where that leads: Great prices on products that disappear from store shelves.

Asking Congress and the FDA to help reduce drug pricing won’t work unless Congress stops taking political contributions to cut sweetheart deals with Big Pharma and the FDA stops playing along by shutting out competition. Congress and the FDA cause the problem by working hand in hand to restrict entry to the market and eliminate competition. Big Pharma spends significantly more on lobbying and political contributions than it does on research.

Fortunately help is on the way.

Libertarians will be on the third line of the ballot this fall, and a vote for Libertarians will be a big step toward lower drug pricing.

Libertarians will work to gradually increase competition in drug pricing by increasing competition and product development.

Libertarians will work to eliminate laws giving breaks to Big Pharma that restrict entry to the market.

Libertarians will also gradually have the FDA take steps to approve more drugs by speeding up the approval process while retaining drug safety.

EDWARD W. SMITH

Concord