NO BIG PHARMA

"No big pharma" is a critique of the pharmaceutical industry, which some say is not innovative, is greedy, and puts profits before public health. 

Criticisms of Big Pharma

• High drug costs
  High prescription drug prices increase healthcare costs, Medicare premiums, and the number of people who can't afford their prescriptions 

• Lack of innovation
  Many new drugs are no better than existing drugs, and companies focus more on "me-too drugs" than new breakthroughs 

• Patent abuses
  Companies extend patents on small changes to existing drugs to block generic versions 

• Exploitation of low-income countries
  Companies use legal action against countries that prioritize public health over corporate interests 

• Financial incentives
  Companies focus on creating pills that people take every day, rather than vaccines and treatments for the poor 

Potential solutions

• Reform the industry by targeting its worst excesses 

• Restructure the industry to be more science-based and motivated to provide the most beneficial drugs 

• Support research and development outside of Big Pharma, such as through philanthropic donations