薬くすり九く層そう倍ばい

expression

medicines are sold at huge markups; pharmaceuticals are highly profitable

A yojijukugo proverb meaning that medicines are sold at many times their production cost, making the pharmaceutical business very lucrative. Often used to comment on the high price of drugs.

• 薬くすり九く層そう倍ばいと言いわれるように、薬くすりの値ね段だんは原げん価かの何なん倍ばいにもなることがある。

  As the saying goes, 'medicines are sold at huge markups,' and drug prices can be many times their cost.