19% tax on drugs in Germany? The best of socialized medicine?

[WhiskeyGirl]

"The Chairman suggested that in the first place to reduce the rate of VAT on medicines from 19 percent to seven percent. This is almost common practice throughout Europe."

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.der-krankenkassen-vergleich.de%2Fgesetzliche-krankenversicherung-spitzenverband-fordert-reform-im-pflege-tuv-71837

[WhiskeyGirl]

February 2010, the Germans take on average 18 times a year to the doctor.  They rarely come without a prescription from the practice. The money goes to.  The health insurance complaining for years about the massive spending increases in the medicines.  In particular, the high prices for new innovative medicines they have long been a thorn in the eye...

How much will Obama's back room deals for drugs cost America?

Roesler had complained after the meeting, the prices of innovative drugs are particularly high in Germany. It must be ensured that patients in the future would get access to these drugs.  To these must remain affordable.   "Nobody has carte blanche when it comes to spending in the public health insurance."

Who's going to pay for all of those back room deals?  Why write a blank check to drug companies?

"But not all expensive so-called innovative drug brings real benefits for patients.

Americans pay hundreds of dollars for vaccines the rest of world may pay pennies.

However, the rise in pharmaceutical spending annual rates of 5 percent or more.  Professionals to make sure the new charge coming into the market and expensive specialty drugs. According to the central association of the funds they are responsible for 60 percent of the expenditure growth over the past 10 years.  The pharmaceutical industry leads the field, however, that the care of the patients had become better.

How much of the national healthcare bill will Obama's blue and red pills cost?

http://www.faz.net/s/RubEC1ACFE1EE274C81BCD3621EF555C83C/Doc~ECC92CF370B0949FDB1652B7B02BC6EE0~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html

This article has some nice charts.