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by gmadsen 2075 days ago
well considering we already subsidize the early R&D for these companies with our University system, and insulin hasn't changed in 50 years, I see no reason we can't price control certain drugs. Could even use this as a guide https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Me...
2 comments

> insulin hasn't changed in 50 years

That is false. The insulins sold today are MUCH better than the ones sold 50 years ago. They're much better than the ones sold 25 years ago. Admittedly, the ones sold 25 years ago are effective, but it is much more convenient using an insulin that kicks in in 15-20 minutes and has a relatively short peak than one that kicks in in 30-60 minutes and has a long peak. It's doable either way, but the quality of life is much different.

Pretty sure people who's only other alternative is death would be fine with the old and slightly less effective insulin
I agree with you 100%. I was only addressing the statement that insulin hadn't changed in 50 years.
Trivially untrue, right? Recombinant DNA technology is younger than 50 years so we used porcine insulin before that. It'll still work, honestly, if you're up for it.