When attempting to control post-operative pain, which drug is better — bupivacaine, at a price of about $2.80 per vial, or the liposomal bupivacaine formulation trade-named Exparel, at about $285 per vial? For the price, Exparel should be lights-out better. But it's not clear if Pacira Pharmaceuticals' flagship pain medication is even slightly superior at controlling post-op pain than conventional local anesthetics. Click here for our special report.