[NonIndigenous]

Originally Posted by Invert

I also have to say I'm not keen on him suggested he wants it to be an up-market drug, because that implies it will be expensive.... if you are really going for harm reduction, why would you market it only at the wealthy?

It's what I've noticed to be general capitalist economics. If something new is released, aim it at the wealthy first, squeeze out as much cash in return for as few products as possible, even if manufacturing costs are minimal anyway. Once the competition takes up the idea... then the prices drop, because they have to to stay in business. I've not really studied this in detail, just observation.

The problem is with patents... and with respect to pharmaceuticals and drugs in general I don't think they expire for 20 or so years. I'm not sure though. Maybe it's 10 years.

I generally speaking support capitalism, but this is an ugly downside that I'm personally ashamed off. When we're talking about TVs and luxury cars, fine. When we're talking about drugs and medicines which some people might desperately need... it's not really.

This is somewhat of a half-way case. I wouldn't say this substance sounds like a "basic need". Water is. Food is. Certain drugs are sometimes. But it comes down to how people define "basic needs" which is a different topic. I don't want to divert this.