"When a disease has no cure, people with the disease have no options.
Suppose a prescription drug is invented but is so expensive that some patients cannot afford them.
Think about this...How/Why are prescription drugs invented in the first place? Keep in mind the meaning of the word "incentive." Incentives motivate people to work harder, innovate and aquire greater skills. Greater effort brings forth greater productivity and leads to higher incomes and better standards of living in the economy. Think about this, what would be the purpose of investing your time and energy into any activity if you cannot hope to reap a reward from doing so? You are doing so by attending college in the hopes of securing a good career in your future. Making more money in the future, by investing your time now. Do you have friends who have decided not to attend college and are working now and not making the sacrifice of foregone income - as you are??
So, when entrepreneurs assume risks they are rewarded with profits (if successful). Successful innovations generate economic rewards. Inventing a prescription drug takes time and effort (a lot of investment), so there should be a profit associated with that investment.
Are we better off with a drug being available, but only to those who can afford it?
What are the social consequences of this? Are there other avenues for those without the means to pay for this expensive drug?"
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My answer:
Wow, this is a good question post. Prescription drugs exist because disease exists.
The history of medicine and "cures" is truly intriguing, if you have time to learn about it. Oh, You have a fever, let me cover you in leeches! Are you vomiting incessantly? Stay away from water! Your tooth hurts? Let me cut your wrist and let you bleed out.
Throughout history, people knew that there had to be ways of "curing" the ailments, they just had to try. Then Madame Marie Curie discovered penicillin! Yay, Curie you found a Cure-y! (sorry couldn't resist that).
But that was just the beginning of "prescription" drugs. And once she found this, there were some (still are) who only see dollar signs. And then there are some who truly just want to make the world a better place, free of sickness.
Are we better off with a drug that only a few can afford? Sounds harsh, but yes. I think that the existence of that drug will prompt others to recreate it, and to hopefully make it better. I also think that the patent/license will run out and then the generics can and will be made. So, if the original expensive drug never existed... the others wouldn't either, and no one would get better!
The social consequences is that people who need it now, but can't afford it, will suffer and hurt, or perhaps pass away. And some of those who are hurting, will look for other means of comfort- turning to illegal drugs and/or alcohol.... which then become addictions, which becomes a need. When it becomes an addictive need, they will do what they deem necessary to get more of it, whether or not their actions are legal or beneficial to others. This behavior negatively affects society as a whole, and the local crime rates directly.
Wow, this is a good question post. Prescription drugs exist because disease exists.
The history of medicine and "cures" is truly intriguing, if you have time to learn about it. Oh, You have a fever, let me cover you in leeches! Are you vomiting incessantly? Stay away from water! Your tooth hurts? Let me cut your wrist and let you bleed out.
Throughout history, people knew that there had to be ways of "curing" the ailments, they just had to try. Then Madame Marie Curie discovered penicillin! Yay, Curie you found a Cure-y! (sorry couldn't resist that).
But that was just the beginning of "prescription" drugs. And once she found this, there were some (still are) who only see dollar signs. And then there are some who truly just want to make the world a better place, free of sickness.
Are we better off with a drug that only a few can afford? Sounds harsh, but yes. I think that the existence of that drug will prompt others to recreate it, and to hopefully make it better. I also think that the patent/license will run out and then the generics can and will be made. So, if the original expensive drug never existed... the others wouldn't either, and no one would get better!
The social consequences is that people who need it now, but can't afford it, will suffer and hurt, or perhaps pass away. And some of those who are hurting, will look for other means of comfort- turning to illegal drugs and/or alcohol.... which then become addictions, which becomes a need. When it becomes an addictive need, they will do what they deem necessary to get more of it, whether or not their actions are legal or beneficial to others. This behavior negatively affects society as a whole, and the local crime rates directly.
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