The moral question surrounding pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patients

On March 14, 2023, we spoke with three experts about the cost of medications. This was the fifth public dialogue in the series New Perspectives on Illness and Health.

Innovation and profit

While healthcare costs continue to rise, more expensive treatments are entering the market. The pharmaceutical industry drives innovation but is also one of the most lucrative and profitable sectors in the world. Are these high profits justifiable? Is this a case of patent abuse, or are these profits necessary for innovation and covering high risks? We discussed these questions with the public and a panel of experts.

Speakers

• Remco van Wijk is an MS patient, known from the documentary Remco vs. Pharma, and an innovator. 
• Dr. Annet van Royen is a pediatric rheumatologist and immunologist and director of the medical program at UMC Utrecht.
• Irene Schipper is a researcher and political scientist at the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations.