The United States is running
out of Methotrexate®, which is part of a drug cocktail that cures acute
lymphatic leukemia in children. Why? Because there is not enough profit in
manufacturing and distributing this drug and many other drugs for cancer and
other diseases. Clearly the profit
motive has trumped the social and humanitarian necessity of
healthcare. And the amazing thing is
that being healthy is cheaper! But it is
only cheaper in an integrated system that includes prevention, early
intervention, and carefully crafted programs for the very ill.So what does this mean for finding a cure for myeloma? We need a new model, and the model must consider current economic constraints. In 1777, the Scottish economist and moral philosopher, Adam Smith, triggered our faith in the natural checks and balances of the free market system, but it appears that 235 years later, new approaches are needed.
10 STEPS TO FINDING AND SUSTAINING A CURE
1. To find a cure, we must truly look for approaches that have a dramatic impact- do not just move the ball a little bit forward.
2. This
requires considering the unusual, the unexpected- the "Black Swan" or "Rainbow
Toad" approach. We must be open to and foster creative thinking.
3. Collaboration, not competition, is key.
This is the central aspect of the IMF's International Myeloma Working Group
(IMWG). We hold annual brainstorming meetings (summits), during which we
prioritize the best ideas for action steps. Small teams form to get projects
rolling. Multiple projects are central
to the goal of leaving no stone unturned.
4. Funding must be increased. The IMF has
been blessed with many generous donors.
To ensure that these innovative projects move forward rapidly, we will
need to inspire like-minded individuals to increase their giving.
5.
The
IMF limits overhead costs and protects both patient privacy and intellectual
property rights.
6. The
IMF carefully considers the long-term
financial implications of new treatments- for example, the potential for
shared royalties.
7. If
an FDA-approved generic drug (like Methotrexate) can do the job, we must be
prepared for that and come up with
creative solutions with shared responsibility and reimbursement.
8. If
$100 million or more is required to make a new drug, let's plan ahead to achieve outcomes that are fair for all in the short term
and long term. This is definitely the hardest part: to sustain investment
and ultimately keep costs down.
9. New drug approval is key. An open
dialogue with the FDA can enhance approval of drugs that we need right now to
keep patients alive as well as drugs that can achieve a
paradigm shift in outcomes.
10.
We
must bring the "health" and "caring" back into healthcare and work together to
achieve it!
I talked to Dr. Dana Flavin last summer, She said that her group of researchers have a cure for cancer before the F>D>A? and it has not been released or approved here in the USA but has been released in Canada and Germany! Have you talked to her?