Why are drug prices so high? Investigating the outdated US patent system | Priti Krishtel
TED Health
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Drug Patents - The Outdated Patent System
Over two billion people live without access to medicines. 34 million americans have lost a family member or a friend in the last five years because they couldn't afford it. Corporations have teams of lawyers and lobbyists whose sole job is to extend patent protection as long as possible. The original intention behind the patent system was to motivate people to invent by rewarding them with a time limited monopoly. But that intention has been distorted beyond recognition.
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