Comments on: 14 Drugmakers Accept Ecuador Policy On Patents

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:21:45 +0000

This is yet another reason that pharma is shifting to biological drugs rather than small molecule drugs. Small molecule drugs are “easy” to reproduce - legally or illegally. Biologic drugs, by their very nature, are very difficult or even impossible to replicate. Hence, the major problem with “generic biologics”. Even if the laws are passed to allow it, the science isn’t quite there in many cases to actually DO it. I can almost guarantee that equador isn’t “breaking the patents” of drugs like herceptin, enbrel, and remicade. These protein-based drugs simply can’t be reproduced without a massive investment in R&D.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:37:35 +0000

What will happen if this same thing starts taking place in more and more countries?

By: Outside the Box

Outside the Box — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:38:57 +0000

Ed, I’m not sure the companies “let” Ecuador break the patents given that they have a legal right to issue the compulsory licenses. This is an issue that was significant 10 years ago, became serious and still needs a solution. Pharma needs to find a sustainable solution to the public health / affordability issues otherwise counterfeiting will continue to be a massive problem - in some countries counterfeit product represents over 30% of the total drug market (and that’s $ billions a year).