Anno, I have bronchitis. I went to the doctor. The doctor prescribed an anti-biotic. I have insurance via husband's work. Our co-pay for prescriptions is usually $20.00. When the clerk at the drug store handed me my prescription, she said that it was $90.00. I balked. The clerk said that the doctor had prescribed a newer anti-biotic. I said I would wait while the pharmacist called my doctor to get an equally effective yet inexpensive anti-biotic. 20 minutes later, I had an anti-biotic for $7.00, under the cost of a co-pay. On the same day, my husband's work place (he is a restaurant manager) was catering an event set-up by pharmaceutical companies at the same health agency where I saw the doctor! So it's true that the drug companies woo the doctors so the doctors will prescribe their latest drugs. who pays? we pay!