Jennifer Hamilton, MD PhDFeb 13

The FDA decided not to even review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccines for approval, even though the studies the FDA would be reviewing were conducted the way the FDA told Moderna to do them.

Now #Moderna expects that none of its other #mRNA #vaccines will be reviewed, and has halted studies on vaccines for EBV, HSV, and shingles.

A lot of people with herpes would be angry if they found out.

A lot of people who have family members with #MS -- now thought to be caused in part by EBV -- will be livid.

Show threadMy camera shoots fascistsFeb 13

@jeneralist

Is there any reason they couldn't apply for approval in Europe or Canada or some other place that hasn't lost his mind?

Show threadRantingCanuck

@Mikal @jeneralist

They 100% could apply for approval in Europe or Canada but they won't because without access to the US market their isn't enough profit for them... and companies like Moderna don't care about people, they only care about profit.

Europe, Canada, et al need to force the issue by changing patent law (at least for medical patents but honestly it would be best to cover all patents) to include a 'use it or lose it' clause. If companies don't pursue approval Government's should have the right to step in and use the companies patents to develop the drugs themselves.

Feb 13 at 3:35pmWeb
Show threadHilaryFeb 13

@RantingCanuck @Mikal @jeneralist

Compulsory licensing* can work for drugs ("chemicals") but manufacture of vaccines and other "biologicals" typically involves too much know-how for anyone other than original patent holder to take on.

*This is the technical term for what you describe, except that no government would develop the product itself - instead they'd license a generic manufacturer to do so.

Show threadAaronFeb 13

@RantingCanuck @Mikal @jeneralist

We would do even better if these companies were cooperatives driven by community benefit instead of publicly traded corporations driven by profit. Profit (as opposed to wages) is intrinsically extractive -- the antithesis of healthcare or anything else related to customer well-being.

Show threadCeleste Ryder 🐾 🐀🏳️‍🌈Feb 13
@Paulatics @KristopherWells is this something reasonably possible?
Show threadKlaus SteinFeb 13

@RantingCanuck @Mikal @jeneralist

I think this only be one step in how the whole pharmaceutic market works. We can do better if we manage to focus on helping people but profits. And I am not sure what role companies can and should have in this at all.