Tag: Pharmaceutical

Spring 2025 Volume 8 Issue 2

Ethics Behind Industry-Funded Research

Warren Wang May 25, 2025

Many researchers who fail to obtain public funding turn to private companies for sponsorship, giving rise to “industry-sponsored research.” In comparison to publicly funded research, industry-sponsored research often displays more bias. More often than not, findings support sales promotions or generate revenue for sponsor companies. This bias raises questions regarding the ethics of industry-funded research. However, acknowledging the difficulty in obtaining public funding may help mitigate the harmful effects of industry-funded research. Several methods to mitigate the bias prevalent within industry-funded research may guarantee the legitimacy of sponsored reports.

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Fall 2023 Weekly News Profile

FTC Dispute Helps to Explain Rising Medical Device Costs

Kaylee Tseng December 6, 2023

The FTC recently challenged over 100 patents in the FDA’s Orange Book, a guide that lists drug products, patents, and viable generics. A patent in the Orange Book for pharmaceutical companies delays competitors from entering the market because of infringement risks. However, the FTC found several instances of medical device patents listed in the Orange Book that overstep the Book’s purpose. These improper patents are artificially extending monopolies to pharmaceutical companies. This adds to the rising costs of inhalers and EpiPens, which come at the consumer’s expense.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Abortion Pill Rulings Leave the FDA in Political Crossfire

Kaylee Tseng April 17, 2023

This month, FDA approval of mifepristone, a key drug used for medication abortion, has been the subject of several federal rulings. Representatives of the FDA and private drug companies have spoken out against the motion to overrule FDA approval, citing extensive safety data. Depending on the decision from the Supreme Court, these rulings could set a new precedent allowing federal courts to overturn FDA approval.

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Spring 2023 Weekly News Profile

Martin Shkreli Returns as Drug Prices Continue to Rise

Kaylee Tseng February 13, 2023

Martin Shkreli became the internet’s most hated man in 2015 for hiking the price of life-saving medicine and mocking his online critics. Last month, Shkreli returned to the headlines when he started a new drug discovery company. As the FTC cracks down on Shkreli’s business, drug prices continue to rise.

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