Mass. bill would force drugmakers to defend prices

[beac]

2. As ever, the pharmaceutical companies cry poor when confronted with their outrageous prices.

Yet, somehow, they can afford to let their drug reps pay for lunches for entire doctors' offices every day of every week. They probably spend $100K a WEEK (and that is a very, VERY conservative estimate) just buying sandwiches for doctors (and every member of their staff!) that they pitch to. I know because I used to work for a company that was tangentially involved in selling food to drug reps. Some reps spend $20 PER PERSON for really fancy meals if they are pushing a premium drug. Nevermind the boondoggle "conferences" they host at resorts and all the other bribery disguised as "marketing."

And the irony of the consumer-gouging insurance industry scolding another group over their pricing is also rich.

Still, I am proud that MA might be the first in the nation to address another important issue.