3 ms·
That same argument can be used for other inventions. Why is pharma an exception just because you added "absurdly high" to it? It is possible to fund pharma rese
by newen 8y ago
That same argument can be used for other inventions. Why is pharma an exception just because you added "absurdly high" to it? It is possible to fund pharma research through the government just like how much of current pharma research and plenty of other types of research are funded. And the good thing about being fully government funded for pharma research is that you get the sell the resulting medicine for very cheap.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago> Why is pharma an exception just because you added "absurdly high" to it? Yes, precisely that. If you see the problem of patents as a cost/benefit analysis and not black-and-white issue, it's not surprising that the system may be socially useful in some sectors, but not for others. As for alternative systems of funding drug research, this is a separate topic. I'd all for abolishing pharmaceutical patents if a different effective method of funding would be available. EDIT and lest you think I'm a fan of big pharma business, I'm not. I abhor the trickery they pull with marketing to doctors, or flipping an inert fragment of a molecule and patenting it again. But I'm inclined to cut them some slack as the society needs new drugs.