Posted by laima on August 29, 2006, at 19:16:12
In reply to Re: Psychopharmacology of addicting drugs, posted by bassman on August 29, 2006, at 18:54:33
> That's the realm of the true scientist-the guy that wants to develop a drug for one reason: he wants it to work really well, period. But the corporate structure beats the creativity and energy out of the excellent scientist...
...and that's tragic. But I don't doubt it to be true. That's why I wish pharmaceutical development was exclusively the non-profit territory of only universities and med schools, paid for by govt grants and taxes, perhaps even private donations from philanthropists, for example.
I read a very sad article fairly recently which asserted drugs get developed mostly per problems of "rich" people in "developed countries"-while meanwhile poor and desitute people in places such as parts of Africa and elsewhere die from diseases that no one has any interest in looking for drugs to help cure- thanks to "no profits"-even though they are conditions such as having parasites that seem like they could easily be curable via drug therapy. (Sorry- I can't recall where I read this. NYTimes maybe?.)
And why find a true "cure" anyway, if that would only end your supply of steady customers? Ie, why not keep people "on therapy" indefinately?
It's hard not to feel jaded or cynical, but I'll try.
The pharmacutical industry strikes me as having a very dark side, though I myself and many others depend on it.
poster:laima
thread:679936
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060825/msgs/681275.html