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Confronting Quote by Donald Kennedy

“So here's the situation confronting the drug firms: The drugs cost more to make, but they can't charge more for them. What do they do? Increasingly, the U.S. market is driving them toward drugs aimed at the diseases of richer, older Americans and away from antimicrobials, vaccines, and the like.” quote by Donald Kennedy
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“So here's the situation confronting the drug firms: The drugs cost more to make, but they can't charge more for them. What do they do? Increasingly, the U.S. market is driving them toward drugs aimed at the diseases of richer, older Americans and away from antimicrobials, vaccines, and the like.”

Donald Kennedy

About This Quote

Source Speech: Remarks on Pharmaceutical Industry, 2005

Pharma firms face pressure to prioritize profitable markets, shifting away from low‑margin essential drugs like vaccines.

In simple terms: Companies chase profit, neglecting public health needs.

Key Takeaway

Consider balancing profit with societal benefit.

Themes

pharma economics public health market incentives

Mood

concerned critical

Type

analytical policy

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • healthcare budgeting
  • corporate strategy

Key Concepts

profit motive access to medicine R&D allocation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can incentives be realigned?
  • What role should regulation play?
A Different Perspective

Profit focus can limit innovation for underserved diseases.

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