Access Quote by Thomas Pogge
“For the present system to work, poor people must be excluded from the innovation, because if they could get access at an affordable price, then affluent people would find ways to buy it cheaply as well - and then the innovator would be poorly rewarded and introductions of new medicines would decline.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Global Justice, Thomas Pogge, 2005
The quote argues that excluding the poor from innovations keeps prices high, ensuring innovators are rewarded and new medicines continue to be developed.
In simple terms: Excluding the poor maintains high prices and rewards for innovators.
Key Takeaway
Consider equity in access to innovation.
Themes
ethics
economics
healthcare
innovation
inequality
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
ethical
policy
When to use this quote
- policy making
- healthcare funding
- global health initiatives
- NGO advocacy
Key Concepts
Market incentives
public good
pharmaceutical economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance fair access with incentives for innovation?
- What alternative models could sustain drug development?
A Different Perspective
If the poor are included, prices may drop, reducing incentives for research.
