[malandrew]

> but at a high cost to society without much societal benefit.

People are employed and knowledge is gained. That may be $500,000 treatment for 6 months now, but that treatment may be improved and democratized until it evolves into something that is $50,000 for 6 years.

[exelius]

A citizen science model — which is what we de-facto have for anything that isn’t cancer — is more efficient and cost effective.

As it is, if someone finds a new life-saving use for an 80 year old drug, there are suddenly shortages of the old drug while a new, patented analog is sent through clinical trials. See also ketamine and depression.