Bayer Boss Says Cancer Drug Not For Indians...

Statement by Bayer's chief executive - Times Of India

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/391614/medicines-rich-patients-only.html

"India's controller general of patents angered Bayer in March 2012 when he authorized a local drugmaker to produce a generic copy of Nexavar, saying the German company charged a price that was too costly for most Indians.

"We did not develop this medicine (Nexavar) for Indians," Marijn Dekkers said at a little reported pharmaceutical forum last month, according to the January 21st edition of Businessweek.

"We developed it for western patients who can afford it," Dekkers said, and called the Indian regulator's action "essentially theft".

Bayer said the statements attributed to Dekkers were accurate and forwarded written comments made later by the German chief executive seeking to explain his remarks.

Dekkers said the comment had been a "quick response" at the industry forum to the Nexavar issue and added Bayer wants "all people to share the fruits of medical progress regardless of their origins or income".

A short post this time... since the above subject matter speaks for itself, in more words than I could pen!

The above can be also be easily interpreted to mean {in jest, or sarcasm} that only those who can afford treatment are entitled to treatments and life... Methinks this is an excellent solution for over-population!

And do note the company's answer - also read the full article. There isn't even a hint of remorse, or shame on the statement as per me: you be the judge for yourself; the statement/s speak for themselves.

The clarification says the Drugs are for everyone - but a quick (spontaneous?) response by the top company man says the exact reverse. Which is nearer to the reality - a quick (spontaneous?) response, or a well-thought out and planned statement? That is a call that is best taken by each reader here.

I am just plain shocked into stunned disbelief at this; never in my wildest dreams had I thought...

Anyways, let it be. Sometimes, silence speaks more than words!

Comments

Tarkeshwar Mahadev : Pune Hidden Gems

What do you do when you have something good, something that is praiseworthy, and something that can be an attraction? Answer, if you are in Pune – keep silent about it, tell no one. This is seemingly exaggerated – perhaps it is exaggerated; but I am flabbergasted by a series of unbelievable locations that I have visited in Pune City – within main Pune City, mind you . These are not well known – at least not one single localite informed me, even on asking . At least those I talked. If I didn’t talk to the right people, perhaps I am in the wrong. But – if you expand your vision to TV, Cinema, Popular opinion, hotels – the situation above gets proof. I earlier visited Pune on a family holiday, stayed in a good Hotel. Not one Hotel informed me of these; not one person – Taxi, Tour Guide – even mentioned these . Thus, it seems to me that Puneites don’t realise how lovely a city they have, how mesmerizing are its many, many tourist-worthy places, how rich and unspoiled,...

Book Review - Stay Hungry Stay Foolish by Rashmi Bansal

This is the first Rashmi Bansal book I am reading, and I have to admit that her writing makes for an interesting read. Stay Hungry Stay Foolish is a very interesting and diverse collection of stories of Entrepreneurs – I wont say Case Studies, as the focus is on the individual rather than the company, the Brand or the strategy employed. And this is just about the only negative I can spot in an otherwise near-flawless book on Business in India. A worthy addition to any regular reader on Business, rated 4 stars. THE BOOK The book’s collection of Entrepreneurs is subdivided into 3 interesting heads : The Believers, The Opportunists, The Alternate Visionists. The first – the Believers – consists of examples of Entrepreneurs who went into Business straight after their MBA: the Opportunists went into Business when opportunity presented itself; and the third group – those with creative intent or social causes at heart. This classification makes it interesting, to say the least...

Drawing Lessons From The Rehn Model of Sweden

In the previous article, the first of this Risk Mitigation and Economic Planning Series I am writing, I made a strong play in favour of anticipating risks and actively planning for their mitigation. In this relatively short article today, I look at one model that was developed in the 1950s – The Rehn Plan, which was implemented in Sweden in the 50s to the 70s. I do not recommend this for India; this example is used to underscore and highlight how proper planning needs to proceed, and how we need to anticipate and plan rather than be reactionary; and how we need to develop solutions as per our own internal needs. In the normal scheme of things in the modern capitalistic context, readjustment of employment is considered a natural outcome, and that the market for labour will adjust accordingly. This is a very hard hearted approach, leaving the readjustment to market forces, which can result in loss of productive resources as well. The assumption is that the individual...

Reflections

Search This Blog