EP is a community where members connect through shared life experiences-- like MS--and so much more. You are not defined by any one thing, so be your true self and find others just like you at
Experience Project.
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 1383 Location: London, ON, Canada
Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:
Sir,
Quote:
But at the very least, we need these companies to break-even, otherwise they might not invest in research for the future.
I believe the vast majority of pharmas do much, much better than break even so I wouldn't worry about them going out of business any time soon.
Quote:
In layman's terms, Tysabri is twice as good as the CRABs at reducing relapses (67% v 30%), so one could argue that the price should be twice as much as the CRABs- who knows?
I guess it's a good thing that Biogen didn't state that Tysabri was 3 times better than the CRABs! Whew!!
Quote:
Biogen / Elan are likely to have a fairly short run with this drug - given that by 2010 there will be oral treatments on the market. So they have got four years to recoup the £350 million investment and their on-going costs.
Original market predictions published by Biogen before Tysabri was ever approved and the price raised recently by 22%, showed that they expected revenue close to $2 billion within 2 years.
Quote:
So it might be that Tysabri never recoups the investment made by Elan and Biogen.
I knew there was a logical reason as to why they were charging so much per infusion for the drug!
Quote:
If the companies could come up with a drug to stop / reverse this condition - how much should the price be? $64,000? $150,000? I suspect that sufferers and / or their partners would sell their homes to get their lives back and no-one would be questioning price / profit / marketing tactics. Unfortunately, we are not yet in this position.
And I've heard it stated by several people on many MS forums that big pharma isn't interested in discovering a "cure" for MS. They are far more interested in providing long term use expensive drugs which bring in huge amounts of revenue. And that isn't me speaking, that's what I have read.
Quote:
Government's could set up and fund their own drugs companies, but I fear they would not pay the rates required to attract the best researchers or take the risk of funding drugs which may never make it to amrket.
Unfortunately when governments try to run some kinds of businesses, politics always has a way of interfering with efficiency.
I won't post on the Tysabri forum ever again. I haven't yet suffered from MS fatigue but am experiencing it in this attempt to make you see reason or at least look at your motives for this anti-Biogen, anti-Tysabri, anti-drugs companies, anti-profit standpoint.
Next time you take a pill for a headache or dollop on cream for your piles, remember that there are some nice researchers who work for drugs companies with the aim of developing better treatments. One of the main reasons why average life expectancy is increasing is because these evil / money grabbing organisations are also pushing out drugs to fight cancer, diabetes etc etc. And they do come up with cures - recent vaccine for cervical cancer is a recent example.
Joined: May 26, 2004 Posts: 1383 Location: London, ON, Canada
Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:
Mr. B,
Quote:
You win - Canada 1 - England 0
Well, since Canada was one of the "Colonies" and a great deal of UK culture remains today, I guess Canada's win is also a win for England.
Quote:
I won't post on the Tysabri forum ever again. I haven't yet suffered from MS fatigue but am experiencing it in this attempt to make you see reason or at least look at your motives for this anti-Biogen, anti-Tysabri, anti-drugs companies, anti-profit standpoint.
That's an unfortunate stance to take Ian just because we don't agree on some things. In private messages to me you have stated we do indeed view some situations in the same manner. I don't know why it is so important for you to try and change my line of thinking in some areas. You have your views, I have some and others have their own.
Quote:
Next time you take a pill for a headache or dollop on cream for your piles, remember that there are some nice researchers who work for drugs companies with the aim of developing better treatments. One of the main reasons why average life expectancy is increasing is because these evil / money grabbing organisations are also pushing out drugs to fight cancer, diabetes etc etc. And they do come up with cures - recent vaccine for cervical cancer is a recent example.
When I lived in Toronto, my neighbor was an operations manger for Eli Lilly...one of the biggy pharmas. Great guy...hard working and I always got another perspective of how big pharma operated. And I don't dislike all big pharmas...there are several out there that are very good, responsible companies. I'm not sure why you feel that I have the same opinion of all of them that I have for Biogen. It simply isn't the case.
Re-think your position about not posting on the Tysabri forum...that accomplishes nothing.
All times are GMT - 6 Hours Goto page Previous1, 2
Page 2 of 2
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
We encourage you to also visit our Multiple Sclerosis story and support community on Experience Project.
Experience Project is a vast and powerful community where people connect anonymously through life experiences. It's made by the same people who built This is MS,
on the premise that no one life experience-- like having MS-- defines a person. It now covers over 2 million life stories. Find and share yours!
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
