Pool medical patents, save lives - Ellen 't Hoen

[@isgdre]

Fair enough. I'm not an expert either but in general it goes; The government (department) negotiates with the drug companies a price for a min and max with an option for extra over a term (most being around 5 years I hear). So, something like this. We will buy 100,000 to 200,000 at $1.5 each over the next 5 years with an option to buy more then 200,000 at 1.25 each over the same 5 years. This works well because even if a cheaper knock of comes out the manufacturer

[@ShawnRavenfire]

Fascinating. I think that the best thing the U.S. can do is to allow each state to devise its own system, so that they can look over at the next state to see if a better system is in place, and where they can improve. Some people get nervous about the idea of a nation acting as a "laboratory," but there's only so much we can do based on speculation about what systems will work. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be getting one national system and hope to hell it works.

[@Zwerggoldhamster]

That's exactly what I meant. This is the common defense for patents and the usual argument of why patents are neccessary. But as I just said, in reality only big companies can afford to pay the fee you need to pay when you turn in a patent.

[@isgdre]

(cont) can still recoup it's costs because it's got a guaranteed sale of 100,000 units. So they can't loose a lot and Canada wins because they get a better rate as the manufacture doesn't have to try and recoup everything in 6 months due to the chance of competitors coming out with a better product. True, Canada eats if if a better treatment comes out. But we save overall. It's a win-win.

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I'm not sure. I don't know much about the Canadian regulations, but I hear the prices are much lower than in the U.S. Without looking at the policies, I couldn't say why, though.

[@ShawnRavenfire]

(Cont.) The problem is that the pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to keep their costs low, because they're paid not by the consumers, but by the insurance companies, which are in turn incentivized to keep their prices high by government regulations designed to maintain short-term stock prices. At least, that's my understanding of the situation.

[@isgdre]

Not a bad first crack at the problem. I'm sure there are a few details that need to be fleshed out there. Where would you put Canadian drug prices if this model were true (we don't have insurance companies).

[@lewispearson]

I would argue that patents help the small inventors more so than the big companies. Small inventors can have their ideas protected which allows them to actually make money without the risk of big companies stealing their ideas.

[@Syeal7]

On TedEducation? No. But it has been up before on TedTalksDirector

[@samstrobelight]

I loved the THX one!

[@LeGioNoFZioN]

the medicine paten pool is a great idea, however using force to compel companies to participate is not a good idea. quid pro quo coercive measures maybe, but not force

[@oshiwa]

I think a lot of this is going to be a moot point soon. As soon as a common person can get online and look up a patent and have the ability to make a tiny chem lab in their garage that will suffice, it won't matter. DIY will help us break out of extreme money driven society.

[@unamaxify]

people tend to start ignoring rules that make no sens. if i wanted to pirate meds with bioengineering, do you really think i would give a sh*t about genetic patents ? My hole point is that the pharma industry could find them self in them same situation as the music industry today when they try to maintain a business model that is based on scarcity.in an environment where people just can copy your product

[@Zwerggoldhamster]

Patents barely help the "small inventers", but only the big companies. Might as well get rid of them.

[@isgdre]

52 different solutions then pick the one that works best. Would be nice. Yet many people tend to be too short sighted. Just look at the comments here. You just may end up with something that kill off rescearch for the extra $0.50 off the price.

[@tex482]

indeed

[@opiaz]

Reupload?

[@StringThe1]

Oh, they have more than enough money, a little less won't hurt them, trust me.

[@MrAlexander336]

(5:00) Where is the graph of the developing countries patents on HIV medications. Why would she just show a graph of developing countries? Pharma companies had those patents in developed countries but didn't apply for them in developing countries without the WHO's approval of patent protection

[@StringThe1]

From time to time, talking to a brick wall can be quite enlightening. :)

[@13rcade31]

patents are nothing but a problem. should be people be able to have what they did recognized? yes but it should not stop others from doing great things with it.

[@isgdre]

Well, I guess if you kill off all future drug development you can claim success in making things equal for all. Maybe if she succeeds with medicine she can start working at getting rid of electricity for all too, you know..... So that can be fair as well.

[@Spaceisprettybig]

Interesting but this video is based on the hypothesis that humans on the whole aren't just basterd coated basterd with bastard filling.

[@robot1970]

Burgh

[@NDPdEport]

really? how in the world are you a TED subscriber? ya 6th

[@TheUnknownFactor]

The way she ended her speech was rather disappointing. "Or the government might force them"? Yeah right, government had a legitimate interest in the development of flight, aids is a rather tiny issue for the American government and medical lobbies are far too powerful to let anything like this happen. I really like this initiative, but please don't be so naive as to expect government to deal with the issue of patents on medicine.

[@JaySee5]

Please get rid of the stupid loud intro. It was annoying when THX did it, it's still annoying now!

[@isgdre]

Wow, now that's cynical. "no one really cares".... Sheesh. I could get you up to speed on how researchers work but with that degree of cynicism I feel I would be just talking to a brick wall, so I'll take a pass on that.

[@Chrisangel0804]

Fifth