WOW! I’m surprised at the number of respondents who are down on big pharma, the government, etc. Like me I’m sure there are more than a few of you who have investments in big pharma companies in your 401K plans. So when they make money it bodes well for my retirement funds. On the other hand my needing to pay my co-insurance for my buprenorphine patch around $450.00 every quarter makes me scream. But I chose to use this drug and formulation of the drug for my pain relief. Many respondents complain about the cost but the drugs work to keep us healthy and it costs large dollars to R&D new drugs. I have no idea but I wonder how much money is wasted on unsuccessful drug research? We live in a capitalist society and it will never change and we should be used to it by now. I’m glad Medicare is finally going to begin to negotiate for lower drug prices.
My spinal OA with chronic pain is continuing to invade the rest of my body and I’m not expecting it to improve but worsen. I know no surgery or drugs will eventually work to keep me free of pain so I hope something else does me in. Living to the end in pain is not what I wish for myself and having been a nurse for so many years I have a good idea what that is like.