2 ms·
Without drug patents drug discovery would completely stop. I'm not averse to looking at alternative models for providing revenue to the drug discovery and test
by Pxtl 3y ago
Without drug patents drug discovery would completely stop.
I'm not averse to looking at alternative models for providing revenue to the drug discovery and testing infrastructure (the current model of patents is flawed as hell), but if you like new medications like the COVID vaccines then you have to respect the important of protecting the incentive to create them.
- senderista 3y agoThe whole premise is flawed. Drug research is a public good and should be publicly funded. Private funding horribly distorts incentives (only drugs that are lucrative enough to recoup R&D costs are funded).
- underlipton 3y ago>Without drug patents drug discovery would completely stop. I don't believe that, but I won't convince you. Instead, I invite you to try to convince yourself. Imagine a world where drug discovery happens without patents. Talk it out, falsify your propositions as you go, see if you can come up with something workable.
- Pxtl 3y agoI don't doubt that a workable alternative could be invented (and could improve on the deep flaws in the drug patent system), but it would be absolutely necessary to implement that alternative before removing the drug patent system. "Remove the drug patent system" = Upset Kanye "Replace the drug patent system with a new way to encourage drug discovery besides the honor system" = Smiling Kanye
- underlipton 3y agoYou can use an intermediary and (quickly) transition. I'm not concerned about preserving economic value or whatever, just research and expertise. It would be nice to get this done before a crisis that tests the system (again).