Understanding the Most Expensive Drug in the Black Market
The most expensive drug in the black market is a topic of considerable intrigue and concern. Various factors affect pricing, including composition, rarity, and demand. This article explores the characteristics and implications of the black market drug trade.
It was written based on peer-reviewed medical research, reviewed by medical and/or clinical experts, and provides objective information on the disease and treatment of addiction (substance use disorders). Much newer to the scene, but just as deadly as fentanyl, comes a drug known on the street as “tranq”. It’s more commonly called the ‘Zombie drug’ and is used to augment Fentanyl. Xylazine is a sedative and can lead to a drop in heart rate and breathing issues in humans. It also causes severe skin ulcers, which could lead to infection and skin rotting.
The Context of Black Market Drugs
Domestic meth production may be on the rise, as meth can be cut with many common products including anhydrous ammonia, one of the main ingredients used in fertilizer by farmers. “I don’t think the war on drugs is going anywhere anytime soon as a political program and as a political talking point.” This spring, New York became the 15th state, along with the District of Columbia to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Oregon, in February, became the first state to decriminalize the possession of any small amounts of drugs.
The black market for drugs operates outside of legal regulations, often resulting in inflated prices due to risk and scarcity. Some drugs gain notoriety not only for their effects but also for their extraordinarily high prices.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4) and sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are also particularly unaffordable with a month supply of sitagliptin costing 3,594,531 LBP (38.0 USD) and empagliflozin costing 5,138,373 LBP (54.4 USD). The indirect costs of addiction can be significant and far-reaching, encompassing healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and other social costs. For instance, healthcare costs from emergency department and inpatient visits related to illicit drug use are estimated at $6.4 billion. The economic impact of substance misuse is estimated to be $193 billion for illicit drug use.
- Nipping the problem in the bud—keeping illicit drugs from reaching the market—is critical for stemming the tide of illegal drug activity and protecting the nation from the scourge of fentanyl analogs.
- On the black market, opiates tend to be one of the most expensive drugs available which then leads addicts to seek cheaper options such as heroin.
- While one of Humira’s biosimilar competitors — Cyltezo, which will come to the U.S. market in July — has gotten a special Food and Drug Administration approval that allows for automatic swapping, most others have not.
- “We are confident this price point will generate significant cost savings for the overall health-care system and significantly lower the economic burden of hemophilia B,” the company said, according to Reuters.
In January 2021, DHS announced a new multiphase study to improve the detection of synthetic opioids. In collaboration with PNNL, the study will assess the performance of field-portable drug detection equipment from industry against fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds, other drugs, and cutting agents. Unscrupulous scientists persist in exercising their craft, working in underground labs to manipulate fentanyl, isolate analogs, and create deadly combinations. The collection of hard-to-trace substances entering the market continues to kill users and sicken law enforcement as they battle the epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, carfentanyl is approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine, 100 times more than fentanyl, and 50 times more than heroin.
Guardian Recovery is available to help individuals begin the recovery process and provide them with the therapies and support they need to sustain long-lasting sobriety and foster a healthier, more fulfilling life. The most memorable and shocking line that Yong says is “did he commit any crime just because he strived to survive.”[12] Because those patients wanted to survive so badly, they had to buy medicine to keep themselves alive. Unaffordable Chinese medicine force them to purchase Indian pills and to be the demand part of the medicine black-market.
Find out how much your Netflix password is worth on the black market and more unexpected items in the slideshow below. Urea cycle disorders are genetic conditions that cause the harmful buildup of ammonia in the body. If not removed from the body, ammonia buildup can cause mental confusion and even lead to coma or death. Each continued therapy cycle consists of four weeks of continuous infusion followed by an eight-week treatment-free interval. Depending on the disease progression, a patient can receive up to four cycles of infusions, or if they have a relapse or refractory period, they receive up to nine cycles. CLN2 disease affects fewer than one in a million people in the U.S., with 20 children born each year with the disorder.
Periodic incidents—such as the heroin-induced death of a young, affluent New York City couple in 1995 or the 1993 remark by then Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders that legalization might be beneficial and should be studied—ensure this. The prominence of many of those who have at various times made the case for legalization—such as William F. Buckley, Jr., Milton Friedman, and George Shultz—also helps. But each time the issue of legalization arises, the same arguments for and against are dusted off and trotted out, leaving us with no clearer understanding of what it might entail and what the effect might be. Whether Bill Clinton “inhaled” when trying marijuana as a college student was about the closest the last presidential campaign came to addressing the drug issue. For the fourth straight year, a federally supported nationwide survey of American secondary school students by the University of Michigan has indicated increased drug use.
On top of reducing drug related crime, legalizing marijuana has shown to be a meaningful avenue of raising tax revenue. For example, Colorado’s legal marijuana industry has brought in over one billion dollars in tax revenue to the state since it abandoned prohibition. A portion of the tax revenue generated by a legal cannabis industry could be earmarked for police agencies, correctional facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, and crime prevention programs. One of the pharmaceutical groups that lobbied for the amendment, Alexion, makes one of the most expensive drugs in the world — it costs $500,000 per year — to treat rare blood and kidney diseases. Under the 1983 Orphan Drug Act, the FDA encourages pharmaceutical companies to research and develop drugs to treat rare diseases — dubbed orphan drugs — with seven years of market exclusivity. A smaller number of the 50 most costly drugs (17) are both frequently prescribed and expensive prescriptions.
The Priciest Contenders
Several drugs compete for the title of the most expensive drug in the black market. Here are a few notable examples:
- Rohypnol: Sometimes referred to as “date rape drug,” it commands high prices due to its potency and illegal status.
- Heroin: Its price varies widely, with particular strains, especially those derived from rare opium sources, reaching exorbitant heights.
- Gold Flake Cocaine: Infused with gold dust, it attracts wealthy clientele willing to pay premium rates.
- LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide): Rarely produced and difficult to find, it can demand high prices in niche markets.
Drug Overdose Deaths Per 100,000 People
Factors Influencing Prices
The pricing of these drugs is influenced by several factors, including:
- Purity: Higher purity levels often lead to higher prices.
- Manufacturer: The reputation and origin of the drug can significantly affect pricing.
- Market Demand: Fluctuations in user demand can drive prices up or down.
- Legal Risks: The risks associated with production and distribution can lead to inflated prices.
Consequences of High Pricing
The exorbitant prices of black market drugs come with a steep cost, not just financially but socially:
- Increased Crime Rates: High prices often correlate with a rise in crime, as individuals seek ways to fund their habits.
- Health Risks: The lack of regulation leads to dangerous impurities and overdoses.
- Addiction Struggles: High prices can perpetuate cycles of addiction and poverty.
FAQs about Black Market Drugs
What is the most expensive drug in the black market?
The title can vary, but drugs like heroin and gold flake cocaine are often cited due to their high prices driven by purity and demand.
Why do black market drugs cost so much?
Prices are inflated due to risk factors, demand, and the purity of the product, among other factors.
Are black market drugs safe to use?
No, due to the lack of regulation and purity controls, black market drugs pose significant health risks.
How do prices of black market drugs compare with legal pharmaceuticals?
Prices can be much higher in the black market compared to legal pharmaceuticals, even when considering the associated healthcare costs.
In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of the most expensive drug in the black market unveils a complex landscape shaped by demand, purity, and legality. Awareness of the implications surrounding these drugs can help mitigate their negative impact on society.
