Does Drug Patenting Fail the Worlds Poor?
A recent article in the International Herald Tribune regarding patents and the poor caught my eye.
How drug patenting fails the world’s poor - Business - International Herald Tribune
The article covers a recent meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) which brings up the fact that some think the current system is inadequate . The solution put forth by WHO is for governments to develop and finance an alternative drug development and distribution system for the developing world. While the goal may be admirable, I don’t think any government should be in the drug development business. Making affordable medicines for the developing world is a tough issue but making the government the drug maker I don’t think will help. Not only that, but if a government develops a drug, then who is the watchdog to ensure the drug is safe and efficacious? Not the government since this would be a conflict of interest. A better approach in my opinion is to create incentives for companies to develop drugs that would be beneficial to these developing countries in much the same way that the Orphan Drug Act has helped to bring drugs to the market that help small patient populations. However, as always these need to be carefully crafted to avoid creating loopholes that some may take advantage of.
Another problem is developing drugs for diseases that are only prevalent in developing countries. A prime example is malaria; little to no research is being done by any of the big pharma companies in this area. Since there isn’t much money to be made, why would companies invest the years of development into a drug that is unlikely to ever make a profit? I better approach is to find ways to decrease costs in all areas including regulation. Would it be better to decrease oversight and possibly have less safe drugs make it to market in poorer countries under the rational that they would likely die anyway? And then some are upset that more and more clinical trials are being performed in these poorer countries and worried about them being taken advantage of. It would seem that performing the clinical trials in some of these countries would be a benefit to them.
My answer to the question in the title is NO. However, that doesn’t mean changes don’t need to be made to help those who are less fortunate. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I think it needs to be addressed in a manner that benefits all involved. Determining the amount of benefit each should receive is where the real problem lies.
Other Resources
- IPcentral Weblog: WHO or Whom?
- The Manila Times Internet Edition | OPINION >
- New Scientist Breaking News - Trade talks fail to deliver drugs to world’s poor
Technorati Tags: drug patents
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