Everything a business does must be right for the business. If it’s something that also benefits people outside the business, that’s great. The Smile program was well-done, basically effortless to use, and helped a cause I care about. I don’t mind at all that it also helped Amazon compete.
One reason Americans may sensibly oppose government healthcare is that it would be run by the US government. If instead we could hire the geniuses who run the system in (insert favorite country) to manage ours, I might be on board.
“This is inconsistent with a worldview where patents = high prices and no generics.”
That worldview exists only in your mind. What several commenters are actually saying is quite different: That patent holders are able to exploit the law in ways that extend the patent and block the entrance of competition for much longer than should be the case.
The problem is not drug patents as such, it is US patent law, which enables various schemes by which drug companies can extend their monopoly power for their benefit, not that of the consumer. Patent law needs reform to stop these practices, and consumers need to be made aware of the extent to which government is contributing to high drug prices - the very problem legislators claim they want to fix.
Robin Feldman is a good reference on this. She’s written a couple of books on it and has done two Econtalk interviews. Good counterpoint to the popular narrative on drug prices.
Together, we’re gonna fix this, you and me. But mostly me.
I’m going out on my usual limb here to say that the market will take care of this rather nicely.
Markets Rock
If only our government didn’t force us to use Netflix.
Perfectly Fine Smile
Everything a business does must be right for the business. If it’s something that also benefits people outside the business, that’s great. The Smile program was well-done, basically effortless to use, and helped a cause I care about. I don’t mind at all that it also helped Amazon compete.
Plastic Card
Just looked in my card case and found I still have my MoviePass card. Maybe that will save them enough plastic to stay afloat this time.
Samuel L. Jackson says “The fuck you will!”
Or as well a I can spell “230”.
GOP voters understand net neutrality about as well as they understand Section 203.
One reason Americans may sensibly oppose government healthcare is that it would be run by the US government. If instead we could hire the geniuses who run the system in (insert favorite country) to manage ours, I might be on board.
“This is inconsistent with a worldview where patents = high prices and no generics.” That worldview exists only in your mind. What several commenters are actually saying is quite different: That patent holders are able to exploit the law in ways that extend the patent and block the entrance of competition for much longer than should be the case.
Re: etc
I was only commenting on the patent issue, not the rest of whatever is wrong with the FDA.
Re: Not as simple as it sounds
The problem is not drug patents as such, it is US patent law, which enables various schemes by which drug companies can extend their monopoly power for their benefit, not that of the consumer. Patent law needs reform to stop these practices, and consumers need to be made aware of the extent to which government is contributing to high drug prices - the very problem legislators claim they want to fix.
Drug patent schemes
Robin Feldman is a good reference on this. She’s written a couple of books on it and has done two Econtalk interviews. Good counterpoint to the popular narrative on drug prices.
I’ve posted that suggestion many times, but FB always flags it as “Doesn’t help Facebook”.