Poor addicts could suffer due to new pharma patents

A story on NPR about drug makers who are patenting small changes in how drugs are made or taken by patients in order to keep pharmaceutical prices high interviews David Herzberg, an associate professor of history who focuses on the opioid epidemic and the history of prescription drugs. The fear is that the patent could keep prices high and make it more difficult for poor addicts to get treatment, he said, adding “It’s hard not to have that reaction of, like … these vultures.” The story aired on NPR affilates around the country.

Learn more:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/28/652546095/drugmakers-play-the-patent-game-to-lock-in-prices-block-competitors