tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287560491211025099.post2175725008666297043..comments2023-09-22T08:24:01.913-04:00Comments on Antibiotics - The Perfect Storm: What Have We Learned?David Shlaeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228776693058791618noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287560491211025099.post-23179531675401493112020-05-03T13:50:44.169-04:002020-05-03T13:50:44.169-04:00Do you mean taxing the use of generic amoxcillin, ...Do you mean taxing the use of generic amoxcillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim, cipro, levo, doxycycline, daptomycin, linezolid? The taxation would have to be massive to correct the free market solution, at a time when the general public is in an outrage about the cost of prescription drugs. We come to the same pessimistic conclusion, and I don't see how taxing or disincentivizing generics is in any way the 'free market' in action. My view is that public health (and the universal healthcare that is surely coming) has a legitimate interest in subsidizing production of new antibacterials that address the MDR crisis. What is the 'free market' solution for preparing for the next pandemic? Exactly.Call Me Ishmaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04113884315863115652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287560491211025099.post-71864550353102644572020-05-03T11:45:10.966-04:002020-05-03T11:45:10.966-04:00Free market always works... if the free market cre...Free market always works... if the free market creates a balance. You need to generate something to sell in- you won't generate it if it is perceived worthless. Government needs to do one thing - costs little - deincentize old innovation at the expense of new invention. The laws were created to do this - but sometimes old things remain too long and new becomes devalued and deincentized. I don't think more institutions are needed to solve the problem - it is more simple that people make it out. The reality is - are we ready to deincentize old antibiotics. This is the question - my guess is no. Until that time - there really is not much discussion without a tonne of federal funding for a problem that still isn't fixed. This will waste money.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00278335481624244660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287560491211025099.post-49282365396198007252020-05-03T11:37:25.275-04:002020-05-03T11:37:25.275-04:00I too am pessimistic. The free market is a powerf...I too am pessimistic. The free market is a powerful idea mostly. America's irrational faith that it fixes all problems and is at its best when it is free from government interference is a fairy tale. National defense, whether it is preparing for war at sea or for a pandemic, is a government function. As you aptly expressed, we must elect representatives who understand the imperative to act and to challenge the myth that free markets address all problems. Call Me Ishmaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04113884315863115652noreply@blogger.com