Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10189

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Watts G.
Academics should use their intellectual property to produce cheap drugs for poor countries
BMJ 2007 May 26; 334:(7603):1079
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7603/1079-f

Abstract:

It is time to stop leaving the development of new drugs entirely to the marketplace, say two London academics. Universities should not only retain control over their intellectual property but use it for long term social goals rather than short term revenue, they say.

The physician Sunil Shaunak, of Imperial College London, and the chemist Steve Brocchini, of the School of Pharmacy, London, were speaking last week at a meeting of the House of Commons all-party pharmacy group.

Most drugs begin their life at high prices and under patent. In due course they come off patent, and their price falls. “It’s time for a paradigm shift,” said Professor Shaunak. “We need to think about medicines that are affordable from day one.”

Although the two academics’ principal concern is for developing countries, they point out that even in rich countries some drugs are becoming unaffordable. At present, they say, drugs devised . . .