...Pharmacyclic’s drug, Imbruvica, is utilized to treat mantle cell lymphoma, which is a rare cancer of the blood that affects only 2,900-4,000 new patients yearly (Staton, 2013). This drug is considered an orphan drug due to the fact that it afflicts so few people each year. The result of the rarity of this disease is that the pharmaceutical company that the developed this drug have to raise prices to extreme levels to cover the immense costs that come along with developing, testing and marketing the drug, while still turning a massive profit for investors. In order to treat prolong or save their lives, the drug will cost roughly $130,000 each year (Staton, 2013). One would think that this price would decrease the demand, but that is not the case for high priced drugs in today’s market. Yervoy, a drug that treats melanoma, was introduced with a $120,000 price and sales skyrocketed upon release (Staton, 2013). This is a crippling number for anyone who is suffering from the disease, but Pharmacyclic has formulated a program that not only benefits themselves, but also the consumer. Every corporation and business has primary goal of maximizing profits for their company and for a pharmaceutical company this is especially important. The company that has founded this cancer treating drug has a patent, which is a right granted by the government making them the exclusive seller of the drug for a limited period of time, that runs through 2026 (Guell, 2014; Generic Imbruvica Availability...
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...percent cheaper to buy medicine in other modern day countries than in the United States (Baker 2004). That is a staggering 45-55 percent difference in the cost of getting the same drug from another country. So, are these drugs equivalent and how can one know but rely on the source of where the medication is coming from? Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mark McClellan said “there is no evidence that unapproved imported drugs are becoming any safer or more reliable” on why the United States does not buy drugs from other countries (Badger 2004). The FDA argues they are not the same...
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...$2.47(Boonn, 2011). The average tax is almost as much as a single pack of cigarettes before taxes. Conversely, smoking a single marijuana cigarette is the equivalent of smoking 7 – 10 cigarettes at one time (Miller, 1999). If marijuana is legalized a high price tag should be placed on the product as well as steep taxes. This would deter many people from actually trying if the price is so high. Some say if cannabis is legalized they will just grow their own. For cases like this permits as well as taxes will have to be in place for them as well. Overall the taxation of legal marijuana could potentially be a saving grace. A study at International Center for Prison Studies at King's College London found that “The United States has less than 5 percent of the world's population, but it has almost a quarter of the world's prisoners” (Liptak, 2008). The legalization of marijuana would reduce the number of drug related arrests, court and prison costs. In 2005, 19.1 percent of state sentenced prisoners were drug offenders and in 2007, a staggering 53 percent of federally sentenced prisoners were incarcerated for drug related charges (Bewley-Taylor, Hallman, Allen, 2009). In countries, such as Canada, that focus more on lowering drug demand than apprehension and incarceration, the ratio is considerably lower at just 4.5 percent (Bewley-Taylor, Hallman, Allen, 2009). On the other hand, our roads wouldn’t be as safe with people legally...
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...well-being. They are worried about the continuous rise in cost of living and the instability of the economy. As a result, the American citizens are forced to utilize their income in the most cost effective way. They search for low prices to get the most out of their dollar. As this pursuit for low prices intensifies no store has been more loyal than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart flourishes while the economy does poorly because it continues to offer low prices on a large range of goods. In 2008, Wal-Mart’s total sales rose about 5.2%, and same store sales rose about 1.65% for Wal-Mart and 2.5% for Sam’s Club. Although this may not seem like a huge rise in sales, it is still rising while other retail stores are struggling. Wal-Mart does well for numerous reasons. Firstly, it generally offers the necessities at low prices. Consumers usually do not reduce their consumption of these necessities, such as detergent, but they search to find them at the lowest possible costs. Secondly, as the economy declines people are turning to Wal-Mart for the discretionary goods that they would normally buy elsewhere. For example, consumers are now purchasing their electronics from Wal-Mart because they offer better deals. The timing of the economic slump has allowed Wal-Mart to display their new markets, such as the grocery department. Thirdly, Wal-Mart has been expanding internationally. The economy outside the United States is...
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...Evaluating a Drug Licensing Opportunity Statement of the problem- Merck must determine whether or not to bid to license Davanrik My recommendation is that Merck must definitely make a competitive bid for Davanrik. The total expected value from the deal based numbers given in the Merck article is a healthy $14million so keeping a 20% incentive, Merck should bid no more than $11million for Davanrik as the initial licensing fee. Looking at the background of Merck, it is clear that it is a successful company with good cash flow and investable assets. Not only can Merck afford to take risk but also given the fact that several of its key patents are expiring in 2002, Merck must replenish its patented product portfolio otherwise Merck risks loosing its profit margins in future. Since the pharmaceutical business is based on high-risk high-reward model, Merck should be aggressive in getting new products on the market. Although Merck could be developing its own new products, Davanrik presents an interesting opportunity since the parent company LAB pharmaceuticals is eager to license the drug in light of its recent FDA rejection. Looking for a much needed cash influx, LAB might be willing to strike a bargain. To evaluate the risks/rewards of the deal we construct a decision tree for Merck. The structure of tree presents a clearer picture of the possible risks and rewards during the comprehensive FDA approval process. Looking at this decision tree in phase 3, perhaps Merck can...
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...Factors of Democracy in the Caribbean and its Challenges The political systems of the Commonwealth Caribbean nations paradoxically are both stable and fragile. All have inherited strong democratic traditions and parliamentary systems of government formed on the Westminster model. Political succession generally has been handled peacefully and democratically. For example, Barbados' Parliament deftly coped with the death in office of prime minister Errol Barrow in 1987. At the same time, however, the multi-island character of many of these nations makes them particularly open to fragmentation. Democracy is about power sharing and continuos balance of powers. Most countries of the West Indies follow a Westminster system that is associated strongly with the convention that political change should only occur in accordance with rules and precedents. Commonwealth Caribbean (English-speaking) either operate the constitution they were given at independence or have a constitutional change by making a process of small adjustments. For example in Jamaica in the Peoples National Party (PNP) under the leadership of Michael Manley in 1976 promised to create a republic which is a public financing of political parties, and included the extension of "integrity-legislation" to include senior public officials. But due to these radical reviews the people were able to vote against PNP prevented these implications. This proved that the people were able to balance out the power of...
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...topic is marijuana's benefit to the medical community. The economy would also be a beneficiary of marijuana's legalization through taxation and all the while crime rates would inevitably decrease throughout the country. While many citizens are opposed to the legalization of marijuana they are often misinformed and misguided. Marijuana is a drug that is overlooked and can be used in many positive ways. There are many people that oppose the idea of legalizing marijuana and their point of view can be justified, but marijuana can be used for other purposes than getting “high”. Although there are valid points to each side, ultimately, if legalized the benefits of legal marijuana could greatly outweigh the risk. It has been documented that marijuana can severely reduce some effects of cancer. Also, it is known that marijuana has prolonged the lives of people who were diagnosed as terminally ill. Many rely on the drug to ease their pain and suffering. Another useful benefit is its aide in reducing nausea in chemotherapy patients. Medicinal uses for cannabis date back to 2737 B.C. when the Chinese emperor and pharmacologist Shen Neng prescribed the drug for gout, malaria, beriberi, rheumatism, and memory problems (Earleywine 168). While it hasn't been proven to cure these diseases, it clearly has positive medical effects. As more and more research is done on marijuana, people are starting to realize that it can in fact help patients with other various other medical problems. Marijuana...
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...prostitution of twelve-year-old children as heroin peddlers on the streets has sent shockwaves through the community. The devastating effects of heroin have ruined the lives of hundreds of families through the loss of loved ones. The precious lives of teenagers and adults alike are being sacrificed on the altar of those, whose dogma prevents them from accepting the need for a new approach. Heroin must be decriminalised, in order to control and curb the devastating effects its use inflicts on the community. The importation, sale and use of heroin has been banned for 43 years, yet ironically heroin is now more freely available than ever. Outlawing heroin has not hindered its use, instead it has been conducive to other evils. Rather than depressing the “500 heroin-related deaths” occurring in Australia annually, prohibition has furnished the epidemic of HIV and hepatitis C in the community through the “use of unclean needles.” Instead of controlling heroin, prohibition has delivered the illicit drug as a franchise to organised crime. The continuing eruption of the black market has been sustained by the staggering “640 billion dollar” annual profit. It is this filthy profit that allows for the corruption, exploitation and intimidation of anybody, from the corner shopkeeper to the judiciary. It has provided the criminal element with the impetus to carry out every endeavour necessary “to expand demand and protect supply.” The community’s current stance of outlawing heroin use...
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...DRUGS Raymarr Shivers COM/220 April 8,2012 Jennifer Gaylor Introduction Dependency on drugs is considered by many as different in kind and is a chronic illness. Some people think that a drug pusher is just like committing murder. Drugs have been with us since the beginning of time. Depending on different eras and cultures drugs are used differently and with agriculture large quantities of drugs are able to be produced. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that the drug epidemic has destroyed many dreams and lives of people of all ages and races. Just about anyone can become an addict when trying out a drug. Most people already know that pain medication is prescribed and available easy and too much and in turn this is creating addicts. In the year of 2010 pharmacies dispensed something like 42 tons of hydrocodone and 69 tons of oxycodone. That’s enough drugs to give each human being in the United States of America 24 Vicodins and 40 Percocet’s. Prescription drugs are exceeding all drugs in levels of abuse. The rates are staggering with deadly results all across...
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...Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a form of the cannabis plant. In 1923, marijuana was added to the Confidential Restricted List as a prohibited drug in Canada. However, many Canadians believe that marijuana should be legalized because it can play a significant role in the medical industry. However, others hold the opposite attitude toward Marijuana legalization. This serious controversy has lasted for many decades. Canada’s neighbor, the U.S. government, has forbidden this drug since the early 1900s. However, this implementation didn’t produce a satisfactory result. (National Prevention Strategy, 2011) Marijuana should be legalized in Canada because its advantages outweigh the disadvantages. These advantages are likely to promote the Canadian economy, eliminate social issues and benefit the health of its residents. In terms of the economy, legalizing marijuana could conduct not only negative effects, but also positive effects. In the past decade, underground trade of marijuana has caused harm to Canada’s income. Werner Antweiler, the UBC professor, believes that the marijuana market is sizable. (2013) In B.C., the estimates show that Canadians consume at least 3 billion dollars in marijuana products annually. (Barmak, 2013) Other data from The International Journal of Drug Policy indicate that the retail value of marijuana consumption in B.C is between $443 million and $564 million. In addition, further estimates point out that marijuana legalization is likely to help the...
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...all of which are very convincing. The basic arguments for and against the abolition of the parole system at the state level can be easily defined. One of the strongest arguments against the destruction of the parole system is the overpopulation problem in most prisons. Since the early 1980's, the population of inmates in correctional institutions has grown astronomically. Between 1986 and 1991, prisons have seen a 41% increase in the population of violent crime offenders. For drug related offenses, the number has increased three-fold. So it would make sense to argue that eliminating parole would make this problem even worse, right? Well, not exactly. Inmate populations are so extreme, that prisoners are sitting on waiting lists. When an inmate is released from prison, the vacant spot is filled instantaneously. In this respect, the parole system is actually doing nothing to fix the overpopulation problem, and increasing operating costs. This was illustrated when between 1976 and 1984, 10 states passed new laws that included the abolition of parole. Only one state, Indiana, had an increase in inmate population. In fact, Minnesota and Washington State both had major reductions in their prisoner populations. The remaining 7 states showed no changes in their inmate population. The next step in evaluating parole might be to inquire into how the system affects the inmates. Just what effect does parole have on the success of released inmates? Unfortunately, most studies show that it...
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...The market, producing drug paraphernalia is cashing in on children’s addiction. Marijuana is being marketed in candy form, bright intriguing packaging, used to attract youth. Marijuana is easier than ever to use with all the new gadgets coming out to make smoking undetectable, efficient, and easy. There is no more need to develop a bong out of a water bottle, now youth can buy items such as the third iteration of Pax Labs’ eponymous handheld vaporizer which is subtler than ever before. Or one can purchase a Puffco Peak, which is a battery-powered gizmo with four different heat settings, which allows smoking to go undetected. For older parents with children using marijuana, they may not even know what to look for to know that their child is using. Macro Perhaps the government perhaps sees this all as part of the consumer society. Using taxation, regulation, and prohibition to gain. “Most critics have argued that...
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...most advanced technology that determines when to eat, nurture, and deciphers complications. The sexual reproduction process has always been the same for all women without change. However, the process and methods used during the delivery process have been studied, scrutinized, and practiced with the same goal in mind, a healthy mother and baby. Most methods of delivery have derived from midwife and doctor ideology being the foundation of the chosen method. During the medieval era, estimated infant death rate was near a staggering 30%. Death came in many guises for infants with most of those coming from bacteria and disease. During this era most births were performed by women because it was uncommon for a man to be involved in a womanly act. Therefore, the creation of a midwife was developed and they became the experts on birth. A popular delivery practice was to tie the woman down to prevent them from moving. To give and understanding on how new medicine was during this era; people believed it was good to cut themselves to bleed out their sickness. This method was supposed get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, this act created weakness within the body and allow that person to become more susceptible to disease. In modern day we all understand the importance of being sterile and the dangers of bacteria and disease. Along with the...
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...The American Crack Epidemic: How the War on Drugs was as Detrimental to Society as Drugs Themselves. Lucas Carneiro U.S. History 4/21/2013 Throughout the mid-20th century, Americans have experimented with illicit drugs, from marijuana to LSD. In the late 70s and early 80s, the high cost of cocaine made it the drug of choice for wealthy, elite, White Americans. On the other side of the social spectrum, lower-class African Americans sought an escape from their difficult circumstances in impoverished inner-city neighborhoods. They found refuge in crack, a smokeable form of cocaine, whose low production cost, high addictiveness, and debilitating nature made it the drug of choice for urban African American communities in 1986 (Reinarman, 1997; Watkins, 1998; Fullilove, 1998). The drug contributed to the increase in disease, violence, and poverty in these communities, turning inner-city neighborhoods into “war zones”. The U.S. Government’s War on Drugs campaign did little to solve this crisis, using aggressive, military tactics to address an epidemic surrounded by socioeconomic and health issues. In the 1960s, the Vietnam conflict among several unpopular moves by the U.S. government created a generation of rebellious, young Americans. This generation experimented with drugs in order to alter their state of mind, and to escape from the problems that came with politics and society. The generation of young “hippies” ignited a drug culture in the U.S. As time progressed, people...
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...Kimberly Artis-Pearce An Effort in Futility The creation of the “War on Drugs” has had many negative impacts on the American people, with an annual cost of $40 billion, little or no impact on illegal drug use by the youth of this country, and by adding to the fear amongst doctors for prescribing the necessary drugs to combat pain for fear of sanctions by the federal government. As C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” This quote by C. S. Lewis provides us with a perfect example of why the so called “war on drugs” has had horrible consequences for the public of the United States. With members of the Federal government continually trying to expand the role that the government plays in our daily lives, the drug war has provided numerous reasons for the government to intrude into the American peoples private affairs. In addition to the overwhelming amount of money that this “war” is costing the people of the United States, the government has funded its own studies and found that the number of people who do drugs on a consistent basis has not changed since the “war” began. Since the...
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