There are many different takes on whether or not the pharmaceutical companies are over charging for their products. I will discuss both sides briefly and then give my final opinion. For the pharmaceutical companies: The pharmaceutical company's profit margins are not as high as some would have us believe. Compared to other industries marketing to the general public there percent of profit is much lower. For example Microsoft's profit as a percent in 2002 was 36.6 and …showed first 75 words of 631 total…

…showed last 75 words of 631 total…a more natural way. References WebMDHealth, (n.d.). Industry profits: Are Pharmaceutical Companies' Profits Too High? The Facts Say Otherwise. Retrieved Dec. 10, 2004, from Are Pharmaceutical Companies' Profits Too High? Web site: http://my.webmd.com/content/pages/19/103976.htm. PNHP, (2003). State Sues Drug Companies, Claiming Price Gouging. Retrieved Dec. 10, 2004, From State Sues Drug Companies, Claiming Price Gouging: Physicians for a National Health Program Web site: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2003/march/state_sues_drug_comp.php.