The Profession that can't see straight

I knew and worked with a purchaser for a large ophthalmology practice. Several years ago she was complaining about an astronomical price increase by B&L for a diagnostic drop that had a shortage in the market. The diagnostic drop sold for rougly $20/bottle under normal conditions but B&L increased the price to over $130/bottle during the shortage. That is a BS move. That is the despicable type of behavior that this profession supports amd enables when they stand behind and promote a product that by itself has significant issues. It isn't a small practice standing behind B&L, rather, it is many of the large well-respected practices. It's disheartening.

 

Several factors need to be considered:
-Think about why the shortage happened. Could it be because of a shortage of raw materials. Therefore the company/industry which sources it jacked up the material cost, in turn, increasing the cost of the final product. No company wants to operate in the red, not even B+L or the company you worked for.

-Basic Economic theory-Supply vs Demand needs to be considered here. When that shortage occurs there is a higher demand and a higher price can be associated in times of high demand. This happens every day in other industries and is demonstrated from Gasoline to even Milk. This isn’t anything new.

everyone just points a finger and demonizes B+L, when frankly you live and deal with situations (and use products) like this on a daily basis.

 

Also,
Do you think that large Ophthalmology group hasn’t increased prices or takes advantage of situations ? How much has a refraction increased over the years or varied between offices, or surgery. One doctor will charge “X” for a procedure while another across town will charge “Y” for the same procedure (surgical add-ones like Femto, Premium IOL, or LRI).

doctors and offices do it every single day.

 

According to the purchaser the lot number and expiration date was the same for both orders. B&L exploited their customers and increased the price on existing inventory.

In supply and demand it is common for prices to fluctuate. Increasing the price by 6 times is flat out greed. Imagine paying $18/gallon of unleaded tomorrow when you paid $3/gallon last month. How would you feel about that?

 

So buy it elsewhere if you can.


But your reference to Gasoline increase fits my example perfectly. When a refinery goes down, or oil prices go up, the price at the pump is immediately impacted. You don’t experience a delay in gas price increase while they are making new gasoline. The increase is reflected on what is already produced so you see prices go up that day or the next day-even though that exact gas was previously manufactured at lower material cost.

 

I directed this thread at a subspecialty of ophthalmolgists who are supporting and endorsing one of B&L's products. I know some of them visit this forum from time to time. You are missing the point. I paid $2.49/gallon of gas on Sunday. Today, I paid $2.45/gallon. I went to the same gas station both days. I realize that the fuel I bought today most likely was sitting in the same holding tank under the gas station as the fuel I bought on Sunday. What would be shocking is if next month I go to the same gas station and the price shot up to $14.70/gallon. Nothing you will say can justify increasing the price of a product by 6 times over a short period of time. I am all done here.

 

why do I get the feeling you are not “ all done here”.... go direst your useless energy somewhere else.