"Why is it," Professor Berndt asked, "if pharmaceutical prices are highest in the U.S., their cost share is so low?"

As Consumer and Corporate Affairs minister, Basford shepherded the passage of legislation that dramatically reduced pharmaceutical prices.

Still others are ordering prescription drugs from Canada to avoid rising pharmaceutical prices within the United States.

Plunging pharmaceutical prices will eventually lead to lower profit margins for the companies.

In addition, pharmaceutical prices can vary significantly between countries, particularly as a result of government intervention in prices.

Some economists say the government can reduce pharmaceutical prices by changing how the nation pays for innovation.

The growing pressure on pharmaceutical prices is coming from cost-conscious large private purchasers like health maintenance organizations and mail-order suppliers that demand deep discounts.

A British Medical Journal article from 2010 cites Pharmac as the key reason for New Zealand's low pharmaceutical prices.

As Europe and Japan take a hard line on pharmaceutical prices, drug makers are getting an ever-higher percentage of sales and profits from the United States.

But he's got a problem with putting limits on pharmaceutical prices.