Is Curing somebody a good business model

Today, I came across an intriguing image from a past conference, shedding light on a Goldman Sachs report. Goldman Sachs analysts raised a sensitive issue for biotech companies, especially those working on gene therapy. They suggested that effective cures could potentially harm the business in the long term.

A striking example given was the diminishing patient base for hepatitis C treatments, as the cure not only reduces the number of patients but also the spread of the disease, impacting the company’s ongoing revenue stream. This Goldman Sachs insight questions the sustainability of curing patients from a business perspective and raises a very important question, on how to balance profit motives and also provide effective treatments?

I think we need to stop and ask ourselves: Is it morally justifiable to treat drug development purely as a business?

Agree, that innovation requires investment, and a product must indeed be profitable to sustain its development. However, the true measure of our success shouldn’t extend beyond financial gains? This also raises the question of whether typical business models are appropriate for pharmaceutical development as well?

As somebody who have been part of a mental health field for quite some time, I firmly believe that our moral compass must guide us toward prioritizing human lives over ledger lines. The essence of healthcare, should fundamentally be about enhancing the quality of life, not just only extending it.

The question is not just about the future of healthcare but about the kind of world we want to live in.