Joseph Stiglitz proposes Medical Prize Fund to break patents stranglehold

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E.Stiglitz (2001 prize), noted for his works on globalisation and its impacts, has written an editorial in the British Medical Journal on how the world can use intellectual property in pharmaceuticals for the collective good, rather than let drug companies hold out the threat of lack of innovation in their quest for profits.

The key suggestion that Professor Stiglitz makes is for the creation of a truly global-scale Medical Prize Fund that will reward breakthroughs in drug development for diseases immensely. Minor innovations can also be rewarded suitably. The drugs so developed will be made by generics manufacturers and sold affordably to everyone. This will cover essential drugs, while those that find no such public funding can always go the patents route.

The point that the editorial makes about the human cost of patenting of gene-findings related to breast cancer is noteworthy. This was done racing ahead, just marginally, of the deadline for declaration of the findings of the human genome project. Thus, poor women cannot hope to get the tests done, while welfare states must devote large amounts for what should have a cheaper test -- thereby depriving other programmes of significant funding.

It is also interesting to note from Professor Stiglitz's editorial that drug manufacturers appear to be spending more money on advertising and marketing of their products than on innovation. We were always asked to believe that without huge sums, innovation would dry up!

/ga