Sawbones: Patents vs. Life-Saving Drugs

Miracle drugs, strange side effects, classical conditioning: there are many films where the plot hinges around the existence of some unrealistic medicine. Justin brings to the plate the pills and medical devices in Dune, Robocop, Scanners, and more, while Dr. Sydnee ascertains ho ...  Afficher plus

Our first ever double-update, Justin and Dr. Sydnee bring an update to an update about the very mysterious Havana Syndrome. Not only is there kind of a reversal of the last update, but the cause actually COULD be a giant microwave? So enjoy the full episode explaining the history ...  Afficher plus

For decades, drugmakers have argued that patents are critical to bringing new drugs to the market. But in 2004, when a promising H.I.V. treatment emerged, Gilead Sciences decided to slow-walk its release to maximize profit on the company’s existing patents.

Rebecca Robbi ...

Between 2006 and 2016, the number of drug patents granted in the United States doubled -- but not because there was an explosion in invention or innovation. Drug companies have learned how to game the system, accumulating patents not for new medicines but for small changes to exi ...  Afficher plus

From the HIV/AIDS crisis, to the opioid epidemic, to the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical corporations have been accused of profiteering at the expense of countless lives. Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now and the author of a new book called <a href="https://www.ve ...

Between 2006 and 2016, the number of drug patents granted in the United States doubled -- but not because there was an explosion in invention or innovation. Drug companies have learned how to game the system, accumulating patents not for new medicines but for small changes to exi ...  Afficher plus