GlaxoSmithKline Going Opensource? A Good World Citizen?
The head of drug giant Glaxo SmithKline, Andrew Witty, announced the company plans a couple major policy changes. One change will be to slash prices of drugs to developing countries by 75%. With the remaining profits from these countries, they would help develop the healthcare infrastructure.
The other major change will be to open up some of their patents to a “patent pool.” Initially, this would include patents for drugs that treat malaria and cholera. However, to the dismay of many, they do not plan on sharing patents for HIV Aids. Nevertheless, this is an important step for the pharmaceutical industry in making drug improvements more like opensource computer software. When patents are shared with other experts and not treated as industrial secrets, the best scientist in the world can all contribute to improvements.
Spokesmen for GSK are quoted as saying:
“We work like crazy to come up with the next great medicine, knowing that it’s likely to get used an awful lot in developed countries, but we could do something for developing countries.
“Are we working as hard on that? I want to be able to say yes we are, and that’s what this is all about – trying to make sure we are even-handed in terms of our efforts to find solutions not just for developed but for developing countries.”
“Slashing drug prices is good. But without the necessary health infrastructure many won’t be able to access those drugs. Therefore, investment by GSK, along with the knowledge pooling, make this a landmark announcement.
“This is a gutsy move in a commercial world. Witty has demonstrated a willingness to make saving lives a business goal along with making money.”