https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/20/opioid-crisis-n001-drug-painkiller-solution-lab-san-francisco
This article gave me some hope for the near future, in terms of the pharmaceutical industry's contribution to the problem. If doctors start prescribing this new medication, N-001, instead of things like Oxycontin, chances are we will start seeing less of an addiction problem in the U.S. This is a solid step in the right direction. What do you think? Do you think that this is another company trying to profit off of the crisis or do you think these people have the right intentions, which is to attack the root cause of the issue?
I agree with Victoria. Pharma companies are, like all other companies, profit driven. While they may have good intentions, if people are aware that this medicine is "non-addictive" they may be willing to pay a lot for it. Also, I'm a bit skeptical of what "non-addictive" means; it seems to be related to biological/neurological addiction, but many pills are not technically addictive on that level but they become addictive at q psychological level (many anti-depressants for example).
ReplyDeleteIn theory the creation of this new drug is a positive thing. However, many other drugs have been created with similar purposes in mind that have since been manipulated and monopolized due to patent laws. The real challenge going forward is keeping costs down so the drug becomes accessible to the masses.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Charlie that the drug is a positive thing in theory. However, it seems to me that big pharma doesn’t really have an incentive to implement the less addictive drugs, especially if those products cost more to produce
DeleteI am also skeptical about the idea of the medicine being “non-addictive” and the identification of such levels.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if big pharma wants to market a non-addictive drug because it'll hurt their business.
ReplyDeleteI also think the company has good intentions, but I think a more positive or efficient way for them to help those with addiction problems or prevent addiction is by advocating for alternative programs that don't involve or require people to be prescribed something. This however is not profitable to them and may cost more to those that need it, which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteAll great points brought up about the good intentions of this company, but I could see how their drug could draw heavy criticism. If this drug is meant to treat pain, it would still have to have an effect on the brain. If their body/brain likes it, they will continue to seek the drug and lead them down a path of addiction?
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