As James Surowiecki noted in a New Yorker article, given a…
“As James Surowiecki noted in a New Yorker article, given a choice between developing antibiotics that people will take every day for two weeks and antidepressants that people will take every day for ever, drug companies not surprisingly opt for the latter. Although a few antibiotics have been toughened up a bit, the pharmaceutical industry hasn't given us an entirely new antibiotic since the 1970s.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pharma favors profitable long‑term drugs over urgent short‑term solutions, hindering innovation.
In simple terms: Companies choose profit over need.
Key Takeaway
Demand better incentives for antibiotics.
Themes
healthcare
economics
innovation
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
informative
When to use this quote
- government policy
- patient advocacy
- investment strategies
Key Concepts
profit motive
public health
R&D priorities
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we align profit with public health?
- What policies could spur antibiotic research?
A Different Perspective
Market forces can ignore urgent health crises.