|
About 16,000 biotect executives and scientists are convening in Washington DC this week for their annaul meeting, the first in the nation's capital since 1990, amid excitement amoung cancer patients and investers about the potential of these new drugs. These drugs are the product of public and private investments in genetic research that is revealing the molecular secrects of tumors,and molecular substances, giving scientists new ideas about how to attack them, and creating the tools to exploit these ideas.
We have, to name a few, FluMist, Rebif, Viread, Amevive, Cardizem, Proleukin, Zevalin, Renagel, Aranesp, and finally Avastin.
Recently approved or under developement these drugs are expected to contribute to the rising fortunes of the top biotech companies in the near future. Should these company's be allowed to price treatments, costing anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 a year, or asking a fair market price for the drug while NOT paying for the combined efforts of all who forged their way to help since 1953, Watson and Crick figured out the structure of a molecule called deoyribonucleic acid...?
I see life and death in the balance for many people in the world with this great leap in medical science but also see the potential for a diaster if the prices aren't based on a real prodution cost.
What are your feelings about this subject IronWorkers?
__________________
*\\Conan/*
|