Bad Bugs, No Drugs

Our victory over these illnesses seemed so complete that in 1967, Surgeon General William H. Stewart announced it was "time to close the book on infectious diseases, declare the war against pestilence won, and shift national resources to such chronic problems as cancer and heart disease."

Now that halcyon period may be ending. "The golden era of medicine has come to term," said Kate Robins, a spokeswoman for drug maker Pfizer.

As new and deadly strains of bacteria and viruses emerge, government officials and the pharmaceutical industry have devoted few resources to address this immediate threat. etc........

Pharmaceutical industry critics decry what they see as an industry trend away from lifesaving antibiotics and antivirals, and an increased investment in "lifestyle" drugs to deal with conditions such as baldness, erectile dysfunction and obesity. Though these drugs have little or no medical benefit, they virtually guarantee huge profits for pharmaceutical companies. etc..

There are very significant financial disincentives for pharmaceutical companies to pursue these anti-infectives," Edwards said. "It's not their fault � it's a societal conundrum etc.....

abcnews.go.com...


Conundrum: A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma; a riddle It's a lousy riddle money has more value than life. Simple.
Polar Bear