E-drug: Patents, Commodities...
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I recently saw an article in the Essential Drugs Monitor (Issue
number 28 and 29), on the subject of drug patents and cost of
drugs, written by Consumer International. I thought that they were
right to get involved in the debate. But I also thought how that this
matter of patents is not only restricted to pharmaceutical patented
products, but affects all novel goods under patent, some which
may be classified (loosely?) as commodities.
The issue of disparity of prices applies to all commodities sold in
any market, more so in developing countries. This generally applies
to imported goods, and those goods considered luxuries. This is in
spite of the fact that disposable income levels generally tend to be
low in these countries, and yet the need for some of these goods
(say for communication) is more than apparent.
While I agree that the price of pharmaceutical products in retail
outlets is probably criminally diverse and thus a source of concern,
the same surely must apply to a number of other goods, that may
be considered essential for the well- being of a community. I would
suggest that the reasons for these disparities for such non-medical
goods, also ought to be brought into the light of public awareness,
so that people can see the extent of this problem with patents,
price controls. That is, the problem is not only access to drugs (eg,
ARVs), but also access to other goods that may be perceived as
essential in growing economies.
I fear many people forget that the problem is not only that matter,
but also access to a whole range of goods and services, which if
correctly addressed, may help to improve healthcare provision and
the health of people in these poor countries.
So, when we discuss patents, and now 'commodities', we are ope-
ning a whole can of worms: We begin to questions how a market
economy functions, and why it does so in this way. I suspect we
are also asking if we, as consumers of goods and services, can
have greater role in deciding how a market / capitalist economy
functions.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Fundafunda PhD, MBA, B.Pharm(Hon)
Marketing Manager
ECHO International Health Services Limited
Ullswater Crescent, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2HR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8660 2220 Fax: +44 (0)20 8668 0751
Email: bfunda@echohealth.org.uk
www: echohealth.org.uk
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