At least we have a Commissioner of the FDA that appears to embrace innovation, competition, access to more choices, competition, to provide us life saving medical products and to ensure that the United States is a leader in biomedical innovation. The problem is, as you help to point out, can changes be made a the system that has been dominated by giant pharmacuetical companies that prefer to protect their pipline of providing “maintenance” drugs. Drugs that keep the patient on a regimen of relieving symptoms rather than treating or curing their disease or problem.
Big pharmacuetical companies actually have people and policies to accomplish what they internally refer to as “evergreening” (do an internet search) wherin they protect their products to legally or illegally extend their monoplies to prevent competition and keep products in their pipeline at high prices to the exclusion of other products. Their motive is to exclude competition to maintain higher prices for products - not to cure or treat patients with the best drug that may otherwise be available.
The ‘’evergreeners’’ employ all sorts of tatics to prevent competition. For one case in point, involving an Alzhiermer’s drug, that does not effectively treat the disease see the Namenda antitrust litigation that is now pending.
So, back to Scott Gottlieb and his intentions that may help to cure the problem we have faced with big pharma gaming the system for profits rather than focusing on curing our diseases, here is what he said in July 2017:
''(C)onsumers derive greater value when they have access to more choice and competition....
Today, too many patients continue to be priced out of the medicines they need…That is why the Administration has begun the process of soliciting ideas and solutions to develop a more comprehensive strategy to address the complexities that have resulted in high prices, while continuing to foster innovation and competition. The goal of the Administration’s strategy is to address the problem of high drug prices, provide greater access to lifesaving medical products, and ensure that the United States remains a leader in biomedical innovation.''
Scott Gottlieb, M.D., Commissioner of FDA, July 27, 2017.
However, bringing about change to a system that is so powerful and supported by influential special interest is easier said than done. I am encouraged that change will come, but it will be difficult and slower than we desire.
