^^^^^^
A tin-foil hat cost $150?

In a related note, last year I read an article which claimed that getting new drugs etc made is increasingly difficult because big companies and their lawyers, acting as patent squatters, sit on patents and try to squeeze as much from them as they can, which means that anyone wanting to "make" a new drug has to first acquire all the numerous patents involved which is extremely costly, if possible at all. The article criticized the patent squatters but also blamed the general increase in being able to patent anything and everything which means even the most banal or common things can conceivably be patented. (I am working from memory here and I don't have the article - it would be interesting to read a comment from you guys.)

Last edited by formby (2011-07-11 13:07:57)

The developing and second world are not inert in this process. In Brazil for example, you can pay absolutely top dollar for the big pharmaceutical company drugs, or purchase the generic Brazilian equivalent for a reasonable fee. Of course, to do this, you have to faith in Brazilian quality control.

Last edited by Fritz the Cat (2011-07-11 15:12:53)

Last edited by Big Tony (2011-07-15 09:02:21)