From misappropriating IP to taxation without representation and poor pandemic management, what’s to like about the WHO? My recent piece in the Financial Post, here.
Reality Check
Here is the second of two papers I’ve written on Canada’s dysfunctional drug pricing system. This one takes a wider view of the intellectual deception and myths that sustain our self-defeating approach to the pharmaceutical industry.
The Kindest Cut
In the first of two papers for the Macdonald-Laurier institute examining the history and impact of drug price controls in Canada, I argue for doing away with the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and leading nations toward a more equitable sharing of the costs of pharmaceutical development. The first paper is here, and the second will be published shortly.
Richard C. Owens: On IP appropriation, just say no to the WHO
The WHO, presumably trying to ensure we’ll be less prepared for the next pandemic even than this one, is considering requiring intellectual property rights to vaccines and treatments to be overridden in the event of another public health crisis. The op-ed is here.
Richard C. Owens: The Emergencies Act wasn’t the only sledgehammer
The invocation of the Emergencies Act against the Freedom Convoy was egregiously wrong, a heavy-handed abuse by a callous government. But while it got all the attention, a civil action, which is as troubling, began. My op-ed in the Financial Post.
Richard C. Owens: Court support for drug price controls will hurt health care
The constitutional law around drug price controls is a mess. Courts need to become much clearer about constitutional principles–but first, let’s get rid of drug price controls. An op-ed in the Financial Post.
Opinion: Time to decide: Do we want foreign R&D or not?
My op-ed, with the redoubtable Nigel Rawson, on impediments to life sciences investment in Canada.
Richard C. Owens: Quebec gets the constitution right (on drug price control)
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board is unconstitutional. Op ed from the Financial Post is here.
Richard C. Owens: On vaccine patents, the logic of bandits
Perhaps private enterprise and intellectual property have never served us so well as during the COVID-19 pandemic when, with sudden vaccines and numerous new therapies, the life sciences industry saved the world. In spite of that, short-sighted and spiteful people argue for seizing the intellectual property, of all types, relating to COVID-19 vaccines, therapies and devices through a World Trade Organization intellectual property waiver. In the Financial Post, I write why this is a bad idea. My op-ed is here.
Subsidizing innovation doesn’t work
Trying to subsidize our way to an innovative, productive economy is perverse and stupid. Read why in my Financial Post op-ed, here.