[lotsofpulp]

> A patent covers not just the molecule, but the treatment.

That sounds crazy. How can someone patent the process of healing? What else could patenting the “treatment” mean? Are there any examples of this?

> Patients aren't really equipped to make this decision. It's made by doctors and by insurance companies. They are often reluctant to prescribe/pay for the "almost as good and a lot cheaper" drug, for fear of exposing themselves to risk.

Why would they have risk, if the government has already declared it legal to sell? Insurance companies and government are known to prefer cheaper, generic medicine, and a common complaint is insurance companies and government requiring prior authorization for brand name medications.

> There's also the regulators. If the drug manufacturer can convince the regulator that the old drug is dangerous, they can simply forbid it.

This would be pretty big corruption. Are there examples?