The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Drug to Help Headaches—Or Create Them

Jun 25, 2018

The FDA just approved a new drug to treat migraines. One of every nine people in the country is estimated to suffer from migraines, so we all know someone who might benefit.

The drug makers Amgen and Novartis plan to charge $6,900 for the drug, that is, $575 per month. How many insurance companies will allow that? How many people can pay for it? Not many.

So a drug with the potential to relieve considerable suffering for millions of people will reach only a few of them, thanks to the price.

Is this humane? Is it even reasonable? No, but it’s ordinary in a society based on profit.