That damn Bill Clinton and those French bas s!

[clambake]

With so many lives on the line, why does it cost so much?

Greed. Bottom line. We know these drugs work.

[johnsmith]

With so many lives on the line, why does it cost so much?

Greed. Bottom line. We know these drugs work.

I totally agree with that one.

[DarkReign]

How about private $$$? Is the bulk of that earmarked for prevention, also? With such effective drugs out there to extend people's lives, I would hope some was going to that, as well.

However, to wax utilitarianly (sic) - and be relatively callous in my observations (I have an insurance background, btw), extending people with HIVs' lives, while not curing ridding them of the virus, obviously is not going to do very much to control the spread. In fact it almost definitely will contribute to the spread. I would assume, JS, that is something you girlfriend might have been talking about.

In no way was I trying to imply that "Im right, youre wrong". Its clearly obvious that this is a gray issue.

I also wasnt trying to imply that the American money provided should be used in treatment alone, or even a majority of it.

Just that near none of it is being used in treatment. A statement of fact, not protest.

[101A]

In no way was I trying to imply that "Im right, youre wrong". Its clearly obvious that this is a gray issue.

I also wasnt trying to imply that the American money provided should be used in treatment alone, or even a majority of it.

Just that near none of it is being used in treatment. A statement of fact, not protest.

Wasn't trying to sound beligerent, DR, just posting thoughts; not arguing with you, either.

It frustrates me that the only meaningful data that is easily found all relates to what the govt. is doing, when, in fact, private donations from Americans far outdistance what we do as a community through the gov. Stossel had a show about this last week - along with some other stuff we've already hashed out on this board.

[101A]

With so many lives on the line, why does it cost so much?

Greed. Bottom line. We know these drugs work.

Believe me, I am no champion of the Pharmaceuticals industry, but it is a fact that research for new drugs is financed by the sale of existing ones. They cannot give them away.

However, relted to this: I believe the country of Brazil is producing the more succesfull drugs itself, ignoring patents, and giving it to its citizens. Not sure my facts on that, I just remember something like that from a Frontline I caught.

[johnsmith]

Believe me, I am no champion of the Pharmaceuticals industry, but it is a fact that research for new drugs is financed by the sale of existing ones. They cannot give them away.

However, relted to this: I believe the country of Brazil is producing the more succesfull drugs itself, ignoring patents, and giving it to its citizens. Not sure my facts on that, I just remember something like that from a Frontline I caught.

Damn, Brazil always thinks of stuff first.

[clambake]

Why doesn't the govt. buy the recipe? Might be a good way to spend the money.

[Yonivore]

Damn, Brazil always thinks of stuff first.

And, I'm sure they spent millions, possibly billions, researching and developing those drugs...or not.

[101A]

Why doesn't the govt. buy the recipe? Might be a good way to spend the money.

Umm, because raiding the US patent office (these things are public), and usurping what is the property right, guaranteed by that same government, of a pharmaceutical company, would do damage to the economy of this country well beyond anything the govt. has cooked up to this point.

Can you say, "Worldwide Economic Calamity"? I knew you could.

[PixelPusher]

Umm, because raiding the US patent office (these things are public), and usurping what is the property right, guaranteed by that same government, of a pharmaceutical company, would do damage to the economy of this country well beyond anything the govt. has cooked up to this point.

Can you say, "Worldwide Economic Calamity"? I knew you could.

Drug patents eventually expire and become public anyway (like the cheaper knock-off brands of ibufrofen you can get now).

A potential problem from the opposite pole of this issue is an overabundance of frivilous patents.

[velik_m]

this is an interesting read on drugs/patents (from a not so distant past):
http://www.fpif.org/outside/commenta...0204trips.html

(it's too long to quote)