Biotech Values

[Biowatch]

Re: Generic Debate

Yes, in this case, I think Dew's point was that the drugs were not functionally equivalent, at least not for all patients. I don't think he was arguing that generics should be avoided just to keep the stock price high for the manufacturer of the branded drug. Although he does mention the econimic impact on the companies (in post 2629), he doesn't mention the share price, and I don't think he owns stock in any of the companies concerned.

Se his comment in message 2629:

>>[I can attest from personal knowledge that Synthroid and Levoxyl are *not* equivalent drugs despite the FDA’s approval of new generics which are A/B substitutable for both of them. King Pharma may have a valid case against the FDA here. Ditto for Abbott, but the issue is much more economically consequential for King.]<<

BI, your post does have a lot of good points. In particular:

>>That's a huge cost savings that unquestionably benefits consumers. The cost of prescription drugs is already very high in America, and if you added another $134 billion to the annual cost, it would not take long to come to the unavoidable conclusion that one of two choices would ultimately have to be made:

(a) ration health care, or
(b) establish price controls.<<

Unfortunately, we de facto have (a), as there are a lot of uninsured people out there. Plus about 8 or 9 years ago they discussed putting a cap on how much someone could receive from Medicare over one's lifetime.

As to (b), that will probably happen.