>>Here is an article about drugs in our country. Please note the last paragraph. It applies to the middle class of the United States regardless of what profession you are in. You just have to replace a few words. Instead of “research and development” use “manufacturing”, “programming”, and … well you get the idea.
>>
>>http://www.forbes.com/home/healthcare/2005/01/10/cx_da_0110doomdrugs.html
>>
>>I am sure that some people out there do not condiser this subject to be a problem. This would be no suprise. Try talking to a few retired people about drugs they need but cannot afford.
>
>One case I find frightening is the drugs against AIDS. Profits are more important, to some, than saving millions of lives.
>
>A Brazilian/Bolivian friend told me something about Mr. Lula ordering (or threatening? - not sure about the details) the drugs to be produced in Brazil, without the permission of the pharmaceutical companies - you might say, illegally - arguing that saving some millions of lives is more important than profits. I think those drugs are even exported, at cost price, to other developing countries. Unfortunately, I am not up-to-date about the details. It is to be hoped that an affordable solution will eventually be agreed upon.

I've heard about this, but don't know how it stands today. I've heard that some aid to Brazil was on the condition that they sign some treaty and write laws which will enforce copyright on drugs - where Brazil would stand to lose much more in the long term than the aid would be. And a few American top rank politicians were involved in negotiations. Now copyright and profits of pharmaceutical companies may matter more than a few lives... (several sentences written and deleted, don't want to go there).