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Drug pricing was the topic of our monthly PD support group here in Detroit. The agenda began with remarks about the social responsibility of corporations, in this instance, the drug companies. A particular example was a description of the pricing of eldpryl after its approval in the US. We then looked at summary findings about the pharmaceutical industry published by the Special Committee on Aging for the 101st Congress and concerns about drug pricing brought to the 103rd Congress. A very recent article in the NYTimes said that after some time in which the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Assoc. advertised a voluntary holding of the line on prices it appears they will move upwards again. There was a commitment to look into some of the recent developments in the industry, e.g., the effect of pharmaceutical mergers and alliances, sometimes in seeming unusual combinations, on drug prices. We saw how things like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade with its stipulations on intellectual property have an impact on what we will pay for PD meds. The second part of the meeting made use of some recent comments on pallidotomy from the papers and from the valuable contributions of people on this list. I express my thanks to Barbara and to many people who make this list so good. Pat McManamon Pat McManamon [log in to unmask] 438 St. Antoine Detroit, MI 48226 313-961-8078 or 961-2145 313-963-5134 fax