People in the United States pay more than people elsewhere for prescription drugs, because other state run systems can bargain for better prices. There is no incentive in the current system for drug companies to charge lower prices for their products, beyond altruism. People profit off of others being sick, some doubly so when they have benefited from public money to develop their drugs.

“Researchers from Britain’s University of Liverpool also found U.S. prices were consistently higher than in other European markets. Elsewhere, U.S. prices were six times higher than in Brazil and 16 times higher than the average in the lowest-price country, which was usually India.”

We have thousands of people in our country that have gone into debt due to medical expenses, and an entire industry that profits off of illness or misfortune. If we are so outraged over the practices of Mylan or Martin Shkreli, follow Zach’s advice. Get in touch with your representative, and help try to change the system.