E-DRUG: AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program' (4)
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I agree with the opinion in the previous E-DRUG summary of patient assistance programs (http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug/archive/199812/msg00041.php) that they are more an indictment of the health system which creates such a niche (in a rich country), rather than saying much about the drug companies. The latter are simply business entities taking advantage of the situation for business reasons (there may be some exceptions but allow me to generalise). If they were truly caring they would set up a (joint) fund to purchase treatment/insurance for the indigent which would include generics, medicines from other companies and, I presume, cover a larger number of patients.
Most of the business reasons have probably been enumerated: show corporate responsibility, maintain the image of a caring industry (to patients, voters, lawmakers - from the press release they already have at least on congressman in their pocket), tax breaks, get rid of close to expiry stock without paying for disposal, start/keep patients on brand name drugs rather than see them get started on/switched to generics, etc. If it didn't make good business-sense, they wouldn't do it.
Douglas
E-DRUG: AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program' (6)
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Dear all,
This is exactly what many of us thought would be the next development
after direct-to-customer sale of pharma drugs (specifically over the
internet): Companies providing an expanded service direct to patients,
by- passing the legal entities mandated to provide healthcare
services. So these companies want to offer this 'patient assistance
program'. I cannot see them being responsible and liable for any
untowards effects / events that might occur as a consequence of their
'assistance', whereas a local hospital and even a Ministry of health
might assume that liability.
Other colleagues have pointed out that there's plenty of commercial
incentive for such assistance, including so- called social
responsibility. But I think this sort of idea is stretching social
responsibility rather too far. Industry should be looking at other
ways such as ensuring national authorities are empowered to provide
full and effective services to the public (who, afterall, are their
potential customers), rather than promote activities that would in
fact conflict with the responsibilities national health systems.
Regards,
Bonnie
Bonface Fundafunda PhD, MBA, B.Pharm(Hon)
Hartmannsvej 16,
Kgs.Lyngby
2800 Denmark
bcfunda@hotmail.com