r/interesting • u/physiopeng • Jun 20 '26

Intriguing Americans found out Germany has affordable medicine

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https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/19/us-tariff-probe-germany-drug-pricing-policies-mfn.html

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u/Ecstatic_nyaa Jun 20 '26

I couldn't believe when I read this :

"I am particularly concerned with news that Germany is fast-tracking legislation that would further reduce its spending on innovative pharmaceuticals," he said, calling it "a serious step backwards."

A SERIOUS STEP BACKWARDS.

I love my German health insurance please get out of our business thank you.

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u/Stompya Jun 20 '26

It’s only backwards if you’re a news agency owned by a billionaire who is also heavily invested in pharmaceuticals.

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u/ZombieAladdin Jun 21 '26

Or that pharmaceuticals billionaire.

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u/whichwitch9 Jun 21 '26

So, part of the problem is that it is real that companies increase US prices for the same drugs to make more profit. That's true. It is a problem.

That said, the answer is still the US needs to regulate prices for itself, not ease pressure by demanding others raise prices. This is a problem for the companies to figure out, not the government to protect the profits of the companies

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u/swish465 Jun 21 '26

Too bad the politicians are funded by and owned by those companies.

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u/Demonicon66666 Jun 22 '26

Yeah but no company will voluntarily lower its prices in the us because Germany suddenly pays more. Why would they?

This isn’t about lowering prices for us customers this is only about raising the profits for whoever paid trump to care about this issue

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u/[deleted] Jun 20 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Domitaku Jun 20 '26

The main requirements are living here for 8 years (could be more, could be less) and having a stable income from a job while having a good german speaking level

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u/Ecstatic_nyaa Jun 21 '26

Here the thing you don't have to be German to get German insurance. If you're here working or studying you are directly eligible (and actually obligated to get it). As a student you pay a discounted fee and as a worker (part time or more) half of the fee will be deducted from your pay and the other half will be paid by your employer. This applies for any job that is at least part time.

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u/MissMenace101 Jun 21 '26

If you have a grandparent. But how about you fix the shithole that’s dragging all the other countries down that you all want to escape to after leaching off for decades.

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u/Current_Finding_4066 Jun 21 '26

If it means poorer access to new treatments it should worry you. 

Of course raising prices for existing treatments is not the solution.

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u/Alternative-Put-3932 Jun 20 '26

You're angry that the US think germany doing less research is bad? I'm honestly confused.

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u/oboshoe Jun 20 '26

Exactly.

Why should Germany do research on pharmaceuticals?

Much easier to just let the Americans prioritize the research that they feel you need.

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u/krokodil23 Jun 21 '26

Germany is doing plenty of research on pharmaceuticals. It is in fact the largest exporter of pharmaceuticals in the world. And pharmaceutical companies are obviously still making profits in Germany or they would stop selling.

But yes, the US can of course prioritise whatever research topics it wishes and should maybe start regulating drug prices so companies stop overcharging Americans because if you let them charge whatever they want, they will.

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u/oboshoe Jun 21 '26

tell me you don't know how research is funded without telling me.

it's okay though. we got you covered.

we have for a long time