Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15198

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

Editorial .
Pharmaceuticals, patents, publicity…and philanthropy?
The Lancet 2009 Feb 28; 373:(9665):693
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2809%2960410-4/fulltext

Abstract:

Tensions between provision of and payment for health care are familiar. Though doctors assume principal responsibility for patients’ health, those who work for pharmaceutical companies view the patented medicines they design as key components of health care. Creative ways are continually found to make such drugs available to as many patients in high-income countries as possible, the profits contributing to future investment in development and leaving national drug budget …