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Sanofi chairman lambastes generic drug makers
Jean-Francois Dehecq, chairman of Sanofi-Aventis, tells the Financial Times that he is "scandalized" by generic drug makers in developing countries who make cheap knock-offs in their countries and then sell them at a discount to patients in affluent countries. Dehecq says the companies are simply exploiting their countries' cheap labor and not making cheaper drugs available to their own populations.
- here's the report on Dehecq's remarks from The Financial Times (sub. req.)
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By Swaminathan Subramaniam, MD, PhD | Posted 7:45am | January 20, 2007
Dr Dehecq needs to bone up on basic economics and history. Nations exploit whatever factor advantages they have - this is not unfair. If India exploits its labour pool, France may exploit is scientific capabilities. In the eyes of economics one is not better than the other. It is true though that Indian companies are not making medicines cheaper because it is a noble thing to do. They are making cheaper medicines because there is a huge market for affordable medicines, including in their home countries. Dr Dehecq's petulant attitude is surprising for someone who ought to understand better how the world works
