As if the federal government isn't the one causing the shortage in the first place.
# 1 competition works
> When a company develops a new drug, it gets a period of exclusivity, 10 years or more, in which it is the only one able to make or sell that drug. But after that exclusivity period has passed, other companies can make a carbon copy and sell it at a lower price. Studies find that once several generic competitors come on the market, prices drop significantly.
# 2 big pharma has hacked regulations for prescription drugs, medical devices and generic replacement to prevent losing federal government granted monopolies.
> But pharma companies are savvy about finding ways to extend their monopolies, with insulin and other drugs, by making minor tweaks to the chemical compound and asking for a patent extension. In the case of insulin, the companies can also modify the delivery device to protect their market share. Each product is meant to be used with specific, company-designed injectors.
This is a government created problem.
Regulations often have the effect of protecting entrenched corporate interests.
Government regulation hurting competition, and hurting the free market by "protecting corporate interests too much" is precisely what people are often complaining about.
Supporting the free market would instead be when you allow competition, and do not protect the entrenched corporations too much.
Copyright and IP laws are probably the quintessential example of government harming the free market by preventing competitors from competing.
It's like the inkjet printers that refuse to use ink from other vendors.
Also, the pump manufacturer is not the same company as the insulin manufacturer.