Food for thought

woodbon

Hi, I feel I'd like to add a little Food for Thought! :x We live in interesting times and have so much to think about, but this is my sincere thoughts and belief. I don't expect everyone to feel the same, in fact I don't even want that, as intelligent people on here were not thinking for themselves, which is the most important thing.

I have a little insight into medical research, my husband was a Senior Scientist for Zenica, some years ago. Drugs are expensive for many reasons, the private companies that own them have to make a profit or they would go under, as Zenica did with a division doing complex Genetic work, they took it abroad, and my husband was made redundant. Research is very, very expensive and is a long term investment. From test tube to full licence is about 10 years work by a group of people using complex equipment and lots of international travel, often as more than 1 country is working on things and also discussions between the top scientists of lots of countries need to get together. Its hundreds and thousands of pounds and it has to spent, often on something that as work goes on, it is clear their are hidden problems.

If you'r happy with the drugs we have, fine, we stop all research now. Use the drugs we have and not worry about the poeple with painful and sometimes life threatening illnesses. We could do that, money would be saved in research. I think though, most people would like things like arthritis stopped in its tracks or cured, that will cost money, unless we take regulations away and allow untested drugs on to the market. Think of the risks that would bring, too horrible to mention. Scientists are't evil people trying to poison us, they are intelligent complex people, who can think out-of-the-box, see things we miss, have dreams of a better world. I know that some of the scientists working on new drugs, are deeply committed people, not counting the hours they work.

I know I'm going on a bit, and I applogise! We do all have to make a choice, I would'nt dream of stopping that, but the cost of a new drug has to be reflected in its price, otherwise we would have to stop all medical research, as it would be unsafe.

I'm over now!!! :shock: love Sue

livinglegend

Research is just one of the invisible costs of producing anything that people consume and has to be recouped or the company will go under.

How often do we hear the cry of, 'Well, it only costs pennies to make that'. £Millions may have been spent on research and development. Sorting out all the overwhelming pages of obscure red tape may take weeks of work.

You then have to take into account: research, development, wages, buildings, regulations, heating, lighting, machinery, raw stock, accounts, bank loans, planning, inspection, building regulations, taxes, rates, national insurance, private trials, public trials, more regulations, red tape, testing to standards, finished stock, patents, advertising, phones, waiting for permits, website, wholesale, distribution, profit, transport, and on and changing regulations, and on. These are some of the basics of manufacture. Who would want to be a boss?


That's before you even sell anything in the shops to get any money to finance the above.

Joseph 8)

chris7

Thanks a very interesting topic.
It is a shame we have to consider the costs versus benefits dilemma at all. I too think the research should go on.
I recently went to one of the nationwide biobank sessions which involved thousands of people chosen apparently at random, going for basic medical assessments such as height weight blood pressure, lung capacity, giving urine and small blood samples. Along with which there were questionnaires to complete about family history, environment and dietary and exercise patterns. I was reassured it was all totally confidential, even from your own G.P. and will hopefully give researchers some clues as to, for example hereditary conditions or lifestlye choices which effect health.
I felt it important that I should go, in particular as my niece is currently a medical student and I wanted to do my bit for future generations. Perhaps I am being naive as to the benefits but I was quite dismayed that many of the other people locally had received the same letter but could not even consider or be bothered giving up an afternoon of their time for I felt was a worthwhile issue especially as travel costs were reimbursed.
Chris

joanlawson

Hi Sue

I think the research is vital, and I am convinced that a cure for arthritis will be found in the future. What a wonderful thought that future generations will be spared all the pain and operations which we endure now.

I take part in a reseach project into screening for ovarian cancer. My name was chosen at random by a computer, and as a result, I get screened every year. This gives me huge peace of mind as I have lost two friends with the disease.

I would urge anyone who gets the opportunity to take part in a research project to do so.

Joan

woodbon

Hello, Thanks for the replies. Chirs I think you are important and should be proud to give time to help with research. Projects like that show Scientist and Doctors what the major problems are and how to think about targeting research. I feel special too, I and my sister gave some blood to a medical research group in Oxford. The appealled nationally for sister who both had endometrosis surgically diagnosed as we both had. I also felt part of the Scientific community when I worked as a recepionist at the Univ. of Oxford, Biocemistry Department. Just a little tiny cogg in a massive wheel! The dept did a mixture of teaching and research, people often don't realise just how big a part of a Dept research is, people often used to say how lucky I was to have such long holidays, in fact, when the students left things went up a bit and the place went into overdrive! The Government, back in the 80s cut our rearch money and so the research money had to come from industries. Industry also provides some of the teaching money, by funding students. I'll get of my soap box now
Love Sue

nick55

what seems to be happening, and correct me of I a wrong, is the creation of drugs merely to create a sale for them the manipulation of the market, an exaggeration of a condition which is used to justify the manufacture then sale of some drug.


the swine flue is one example of this, most will never need a vaccine or tamiflu. but other diseases may also apply.
I suspect the market is heavily manipulated by the big pharma companies.

whilst it is true much good come from drugs, and there is a sore need for a cure for all kinds of arthritis, i wonder if we have a surplus of drugs, I know we need profits for investment etc.

But I do wonder at what goes on in terms if creating and maintaining markets purely for bigger profits. Like all things in life there is an obverse side to everything that is good. Drugs are no exception to this.

Nick

sharmaine

Hi Sue

I understand what you're saying and agree totally. We all take our meds without considering the amount of time some dedicated and committed people have given to help us through tough times.

I'm sorry to hear that your husband was made redundant and hope that he finds employment soon. I have no knowledge about the costs involved in research but assume they are numerous. If even I get some money (lottery win???) I'll plough it into a worthwhile research project. Having arthritis has opened my eyes to lots of things. When you're able bodied you forget the suffering people endure. For many years (before OA) I worked hard to raise money for young people who had nothing..what I did was just a drop in the ocean. I'm pleased I did it when I was able too, when I was full of energy and enthusiasm to be involved in such worthwhile projects.

The work of people, like your husband, may not make the news but it helps many thousands and long may it continue.

Regards

Sharmaine

woodbon

Hi,
Sorry, I misled you, Jerry, my o/h is working in a school now, we were lucky,but it did mean a move of nearly 200 miles from my home! Very, very difficult at the time, though!

Nick, I don't think the drug companies do that, but its more the other way round, if you see what I mean, because doctors can offer so many medications for ailments people expect their to be 'a pill for every ill' and doctors often have problems if they don't want to prescribe a medication, because nothing works well or the infection is self-limiting. I think so many avenues of interest are around, that a lot of good work has to be left, because the funds to follow it up arn't their. Things come about by accident sometimes, Viagra was supposed to be a heart drug, during human trials it was found that it didn't work on the human heart, but another part of the anatomy!

I could go on for ever, but I'll stop!!!