The Maddeningly High Price of Prescription Drugs

Insulin is a medical marvel, saving the lives of millions of people who would otherwise perish from diabetes. It can also be prohibitively pricey, costing up to $300 a vial for newer versions of the treatment, which diabetes patients need two to three times a month.

For patients with less common ailments, the sticker shock can be much worse. Have a small child with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that weakens muscle, causes movement problems over time and can be fatal? The good news is that the Food...