Curitol the newest in Rx Innovation

In my economics class, the teacher posed this question in the Discussion Forum:

"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.

The O-Zone and the Po'-Zone

In my economics class, the teacher posed these two questions in the Discussion Forum:

1. Do you think our (the human race's) advancing economic progress and growth could be contributing to a massive "externality" known as global warming? How do you balance that with your values/ faith?

2. Explain why some critics claimed that the old welfare system created a “ culture of poverty.” Using economic reasoning, explain the negative incentive to work that results from cash assistance.
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My reply:

The O-Zone:

As far as global warming goes, I am undecided. I believe that our advancing technology and buildings, machines, chemicals, toxins, population, and pollution have to somehow both positively AND negatively affect our environment. And I believe that in the just last two hundred years alone, we have advanced so much, that there wasn't really time to stop and say, "hey, what do you think will happen to these if we keep doing this over and over right here next to it?" ... The demand exceeded the concern. However, I also know that throughout history, we have had "ages" and stages of freezing, drought, torrential rains, etc etc and that our earth has survived and thrived.... and I believe that God does continue to bless his creation, and he "cleans up" the living room, so to speak, by causing these different stages needed. That sounds a little bit childish, but my faith tells me that God has control over the outcome. And while I should be concerned, and show compassion, and empathy; I should not fear.

The Po'-Zone:

I grew up in Tampa, FL, now I live in Johnson City, TN....

Here's some comparison facts for ya:

In 2013: Tampa city limit's population was at 352,957 people - and inside the County (Hillsborough County) 1,291,578 people.

In 2013: Johnson City's (city limit) population 65,123 people - and inside Washington County 125,546 people. The entirety of Washington County, is only around half of what is inside Tampa's city limits. That's something crazy huh!?

Growing up in a city that big, with that many people in close proximity, makes it hard not to see poverty. And quite unfortunately, my experience with the culture of poverty is that they have made careers out of depending on the government. My father used to work in the postal service, and had to sometimes go into the poorest areas, he has told me of how every first of the month, they would all be outside waiting for their "checks" and they were rude, and demanding. And it angered him. I remember driving past the welfare office and seeing the line of people, LITERALLY, around the building and even out on the sidewalk and in the street. They would block the traffic of people trying to get to their jobs. All in all it left a very bitter taste in my mouth, and I fully support the concept of requiring drug tests and birth control as a requirement for government assistance. I believe that those who truly NEED the help, would be willing to take drug tests. And those who only WANT the help so they don't have to help themselves, will be angry that it is required.

These programs were created in good faith, as a good samaritan act, so that no one would be left behind. And that everyone could have some quality of life. And I even agree with Thomas More, in the book Utopia, when he said “For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them.” What these programs have turned into is very sad, the negative connotation of getting "help" from the government is discouraging.

I feel as though, the best thing we could do is put more emphasis on education AND after school programs. Public Schools are also suffering and could use more assistance. These "welfare babies" that are in school could and Should recieve more one on one and more encouragement in their lives. And if they could go to after school sports / extra curricular activities for free to low-costs, it would keep them active and learning.

Also, I think Norway has the right idea in having their college as part of their public school program. Gee, what a novel idea. If we want people to be educated, why don't we offer the school as part of a public program, instead of charging them crazy amounts of money, that the government ends up putting out up front anyway. Ugh. I could go on and on, I just think it's insane that we have such a lack of enthusiasm in education.