The topic of government regulation of prescription drug prices is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on analysis of past exams and current trends, this subject is likely to appear with moderate frequency in future tests. To help you prepare, we’ll examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that governments should regulate the price of prescription drugs to make them affordable for everyone. Others think that this will discourage pharmaceutical companies from investing in research and developing new medicines. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents two contrasting viewpoints on government regulation of prescription drug prices:
- Governments should regulate prices to ensure affordability for all.
- Price regulation may discourage pharmaceutical research and development.
The task requires you to discuss both perspectives and provide your own opinion. Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality to demonstrate how to approach this topic effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The debate over government regulation of prescription drug prices is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. While proponents argue that price controls are necessary to ensure universal access to essential medications, critics contend that such measures could stifle innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines targeted price regulations with incentives for research and development is the most effective solution.
Those in favor of government intervention assert that affordable access to life-saving drugs is a fundamental right. They argue that unregulated pricing often leads to exorbitant costs, putting vital medications out of reach for many patients, particularly in low-income communities. By implementing price controls, governments can ensure that essential drugs remain accessible to all citizens, regardless of their financial status. This approach has been successfully implemented in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, where negotiated price caps have helped maintain lower drug costs compared to the United States.
On the other hand, opponents of price regulation warn that such measures could have unintended consequences. They argue that the high costs of drug development and clinical trials necessitate substantial profits to incentivize continued investment in research. If pharmaceutical companies face strict price controls, they may be less willing to take on the financial risks associated with developing new drugs, particularly for rare diseases or conditions with smaller patient populations. This could potentially slow the pace of medical advancements and limit the availability of innovative treatments in the long run.
In my view, the ideal solution lies in striking a careful balance between these competing concerns. Governments should implement targeted price regulations for essential, life-saving medications to ensure broad accessibility. However, these controls should be accompanied by robust incentives for pharmaceutical research, such as tax credits, grants, and expedited approval processes for promising new drugs. Additionally, governments could consider implementing tiered pricing systems that allow for higher profit margins on innovative or specialized treatments while maintaining affordability for basic medications.
By adopting a nuanced approach that addresses both affordability and innovation, policymakers can work towards a healthcare system that prioritizes public health without sacrificing the potential for future medical breakthroughs. This balanced strategy would help ensure that life-saving drugs remain within reach for all citizens while still fostering an environment conducive to pharmaceutical innovation and progress.
Government regulating prescription drug prices
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The issue of government regulation of prescription drug prices is a controversial topic. Some people think the government should control prices to make drugs affordable, while others believe this will harm research and development of new medicines. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, supporters of price regulation argue that it is necessary to ensure everyone can access important medications. Many people cannot afford expensive drugs, which can lead to serious health problems or even death. By setting price limits, the government can make sure that life-saving medicines are available to all citizens, regardless of their income. This is especially important for chronic conditions that require long-term treatment.
On the other hand, opponents of price regulation say that it could have negative effects on the pharmaceutical industry. Developing new drugs is very expensive and time-consuming. If companies cannot make enough profit from their products, they may not have the money or motivation to invest in research for new medicines. This could slow down medical progress and prevent the discovery of treatments for serious diseases.
In my opinion, a balanced approach is needed to address this issue. I believe that governments should regulate the prices of essential medications to ensure they are affordable for everyone. However, they should also provide incentives for pharmaceutical companies to continue investing in research and development. This could include tax breaks, grants, or faster approval processes for new drugs. By finding a middle ground, we can protect public health while still encouraging innovation in medicine.
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments on both sides of this debate, I believe that a combination of targeted price controls and support for research is the best way to ensure both affordability and continued medical progress.
Balanced approach to drug pricing and research
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people talk about whether the government should control the price of medicine or not. Some think it’s good because it makes drugs cheaper, but others say it will stop new medicines from being made. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
First, some people think the government should control drug prices. They say this is good because everyone can buy the medicine they need. If drugs are too expensive, poor people might not be able to get them and could get very sick. This is not fair, and the government should help make sure everyone can stay healthy.
But other people don’t agree with this idea. They say that making new medicine costs a lot of money, and if companies can’t sell drugs for high prices, they won’t want to make new ones. This could be bad because we might not find cures for diseases in the future.
In my opinion, I think both sides have good points. It’s important for everyone to be able to get the medicine they need, but we also need new medicines to be made. Maybe the government could help make some drugs cheaper, but also give money to companies to help them make new medicines. This way, we can have both cheap drugs and new ones too.
To conclude, this is a difficult problem with no easy answer. The government needs to think carefully about how to make drugs affordable without stopping new medicines from being created.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Ideas are coherently organized with clear progression throughout
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, although conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some inaccuracies in word choice or spelling
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with some errors that do not impede communication
- Information and ideas are organized coherently, but there may be a lack of overall progression
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but the development is not always clear
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some noticeable errors in word choice and spelling
- Uses only a limited range of structures, with some errors that may cause difficulty for the reader
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Regulation (noun) – /ˌreɡjʊˈleɪʃən/ – Official rules made by a government or other authority
- Affordable (adjective) – /əˈfɔːrdəbl/ – Reasonably priced; inexpensive
- Pharmaceutical (adjective) – /ˌfɑːrməˈsuːtɪkl/ – Relating to medicinal drugs
- Innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – A new idea, method, or device
- Incentivize (verb) – /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To encourage or motivate with a reward
- Exorbitant (adjective) – /ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtənt/ – Unreasonably high (of a price or amount charged)
- Accessibility (noun) – /əkˌsesəˈbɪləti/ – The quality of being able to be reached or obtained easily
- Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
- Tiered (adjective) – /tɪərd/ – Arranged in tiers or levels
- Chronic (adjective) – /ˈkrɒnɪk/ – Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
In conclusion, the topic of government regulation of prescription drug prices is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives. As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam, practice addressing similar questions by discussing both sides of the argument and presenting a balanced opinion. Remember to use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to elevate your writing. We encourage you to try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and further practice.