No, not by the coronavirus—by policy. The United States has been the world leader in drug development and innovation for 30 years, writes Flagship Pioneering's Dr. Michael Rosenblatt in International Business Times, but this status is under attack by misguided policies with potential to change the structure of the drug development ecosystem and marketplace
The United States originates 2 in 3 drugs today, says Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, chief medical officer of life sciences VC firm Flagship Pioneering and former chief medical officer of BIO member Merck, in a must-read opinion piece.
Despite the fact the R&D process is long and risky, only 12% of drugs ever enter Phase I clinical trials.
How has the U.S. biopharma industry been so successful? Due to “smart policies that, for decades, have nurtured a strong public-private ecosystem for drug discovery” and the structure of the drug marketplace allowing drug companies to recoup their investment in R&D.
The role of biopharmaceutical companies is key. “Generally, researchers' discoveries have no immediate or obvious medical application. But occasionally, scientists discover something with therapeutic potential. When that happens, a biopharmaceutical company—often a small start-up—typically begins investigating how to transform this research into a new drug,” he explains.
But this system is under attack, by the prospect of misguided policies like allowing drug importation and allowing the government to “seize patents for many drugs that are tied to past government-funded research.”
Why it matters: “America faces stiff competition in the global race for drug invention. If our leaders implement shortsighted policies, we could easily lose our place at the top,” concludes Dr. Rosenblatt.
The big picture: The world desperately needs a cure for the coronavirus—not to mention all the other diseases and superbugs still out there. And the U.S. remains at the forefront of these cures, for now. This is definitely not the time to import drugs from foreign countries and base drug prices in the United States on prices in other countries.
More Health Care News:
The Wall Street Journal: First U.S. Testing Begins for Potential Coronavirus Treatment
"Researchers have begun the first study in the U.S. of an experimental drug aimed at treating the novel coronavirus, the National Institutes of Health said Tuesday."
The Washington Post: Old diseases, other public health threats reemerge in the U.S.
“Even as the world struggles to control the coronavirus, U.S. health officials are refighting battles they thought they had won.”
