Re: [Marxism] medi$$$$ine

["andypollack@xxxxxxxx" <andypollack@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Les.
P.S.:
1. Much to my parents' chagrin I am NOT the same Andrew Pollack as the author 
of the article below.
2. His article gives me one last chance tonight to weigh in on the union issue: 
when single-payer healthcare becomes a real movement it will be because the 
workers IN UNIONS or fighting to get a union make it a movement. Every strike, 
every bitter negotiation today, has health care takebacks as a central issue, 
and organized labor will be at the center of this movement or it will stay a 
pipedream.

-- Les Schaffer <schaffer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
following up on the US flu vaccine thread:

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Vaccines Are Good Business for Drug Makers

 By ANDREW POLLACK

 Published: October 29, 2004

As the nation tries to comprehend this year's shortage of flu vaccine, many
experts have explained that the vaccines business holds little allure for
drug companies, because of low prices, strict regulations and uncertain
demand.

But try telling that to Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, a small company in Boca
Raton, Fla., which is testing one vaccine to protect patients in hospitals
and kidney dialysis centers from potentially fatal bacterial infections and
another to help people quit smoking.

Or tell it to Vical, a San Diego company trying to develop an arsenal of
bioengineered vaccines for viruses like those that cause Ebola, West Nile and
SARS.

Or tell it to Wyeth, a big drug maker whose vaccine Prevnar, used against the
pneumococcal bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and ear
infections, costs more than $250 for the four-dose treatment given to
infants. Despite the price, the government has recommended that all infants
get the vaccine, and insurers generally pay for it - as does the federal
Vaccines for Children program for low-income families. Prevnar, with sales
expected to top $1 billion this year, would be the world's first
"blockbuster" vaccine.

Vaccines, it turns out, can make for pretty good business.

Even flu vaccines, despite challenges that include the need to reformulate the
medicine each season, are potentially more lucrative than they used to be,
with wholesale prices up fourfold since the late 90's.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/business/29inoculate.html?hp&ex=1099108800&en=0c2f3b0271cd5ed4&ei=5094&partner=homepage

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

well thank god for the fourfold increase and gov't handouts to the cartels,i
feel better already (being determines conciousness)


les schaffer

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