科技与人工智能
To keep drug prices high, pharma has been piling up the patents
来源: Ars Technica - All content · 发布于
The cost of healthcare in general is a debilitating, pre-existing condition for Americans. But the high prices of prescription drugs usually stand out as a pain point. While there are many insidious reasons why Americans pay more—often far more—for their medicines than people in
The cost of healthcare in general is a debilitating, pre-existing condition for Americans. But the high prices of prescription drugs usually stand out as a pain point. While there are many insidious reasons why Americans pay more—often far more—for their medicines than people in peer countries, exploitation of the US patent system is an obvious one.
A study published Monday in JAMA highlights just how much patent exploitation has grown since 1990. In that time, researchers found the number of patents on small-molecule drugs have more than tripled, going from an average of 2.1 patents per drug approved in 1990 to 6.9 for those approved in 2019. Most of the growth was in "nonprimary" patents—patents that generally aren't related to a drug's active ingredient, but are instead for things like minor tweaks to a drug's non-active ingredients, updates to the way the drug is used, or the design of specialty delivery devices, such as auto-injectors.
Together, those extra patents on an individual drug can create what's called a "patent thicket," which delays the release of affordable generics on the market, keeping drug prices higher for longer without actual clinical advancements. Read full article Comments
相关报道
Nvidia launches new platform for reining in rogue AI agents
As the debate rages over whether the recent spate of rogue AI agents is a step toward AGI or a more conventional engineering problem, Nvidia is offering its own answer to problem. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Monday introduced a toolkit of software and hardware products that add in
TechCrunch ·
Volkswagen replaces ID.4 with all-electric Tiguan
In a widely expected move, Volkswagen announced Monday that it will replace the recently retired ID.4 crossover with the upcoming ID.Tiguan. The decision is an acknowledgment by the German automaker that its more recognizable nameplates like Tiguan are likely an easier sell with
The Verge ·
Sources: Vikes' Jefferson avoids serious injury, could play this week
Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has an ankle sprain, according to the MRI performed Monday, and there's a chance he'll be able to play Sunday against the Dolphins, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Dan Graziano.
espn.com ·
Paramount and States Defend Antitrust Settlement From Sen. Booker’s Criticisms
Paramount and a coalition of 12 state attorneys general defended their antitrust settlement on Monday from a series of criticisms raised last week by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. In separate filings, the two sides argued that the deal was vigorously negotiated, has “teeth,” and s
Variety ·
Nvidia unveils security platform to rein in AI agents and $150bn stock buyback
Chipmaker says new system was designed to prevent AI agents from going rogue amid incidents at top companies Nvidia on Monday unveiled a new security platform that the chipmaker said can stop artificial intelligence agents from going rogue. The company announced a $150bn stock bu
Business | The Guardian ·