Affordable Meds in Brazil

While we hear much of the gouging of drug prices in the States (see: the manifold stories of the elderly going to Canada or Mexico to get their medicines), the U.S. isn't alone. American drug companies charge absurd amounts of money throughout the world in an effort to gouge consumers. Which is why it's great news that Brazil has recently overridden the patent of Merck's AIDS drug. As the article points out, instead of having to spend 580 dollars (about 1100 reais, or almost three minimum wages) a year on drugs, AIDS victims now can buy their medicine from an Indian pharmaceutical company for $170. This is doubly good for the government, because it will be saving $237 million that it can put elsewhere up until the contract expires (2012), and, perhaps more importantly, it shows a willingness to not be bullied by the fear of trade retaliation from the U.S. I actually wouldn't be surprised if the recent dependency of the U.S. on Brazil to push its ethanol program didn't embolden Brazil on this, but there's no real way of knowing right now. Still, it's good to see Brazil bucking the will of the greed of pharmaceutical companies and turning to cheaper-yet-viable options. If only the U.S. could do the same...