After arriving back in Pokhara from trekking I developed a bit of a cold/flu and went to the pharmacy to purchase some relief.

It’s no secret that pharmaceuticals are overpriced in the West, but a recent trip to a pharmacy in Nepal reminded me just how much. Here is what less than $2 can buy: a bottle of CRUX cough syrup (which the pharmacist stated was good for ‘cough with slime’), 10 SINEX non-drowsy cold/flu tablets and 10 Strepsil throat lozenges.

They may not all be familiar brand names or have fancy packaging, but the ingredients are the same and they are just as effective. Note that these drugs were purchased in a tourist area; outside the ghetto I’m sure they could be obtained for even less. In Canada, these items would have easily cost over $20. I understand that R&D and marketing (especially the latter) play a role in the huge markup of these drugs in the West, but let’s be reasonable!