Originally posted by expt2233 By the way, if they don't serve a social purpose, Brazil is free to create their own AIDS meds. Oh wait, they would never invest in such a thing...

So, FioCruz doesn't exist? It isn't the largest vaccine producer in Latin America, constantly looking for cheaper cures, preventative measures and cheaper/more accurate diagnostic tests for common diseases in Brazil (parasites, tb, leptosirosis, etc.)?

In tropical medicine, you simply don't get much better. 

They even have a level 4 research lab where they do studies with Haunta Virus.  USP, UFSCar and UENF also have leading research programs that have produced some pretty cool results.  UFF is near the front globally for "pain management" programs, getting applause even from the Maio Clinic.  UERJ, along with USP, is a leader in neuroscience and clinical psychology reserach.


The biggest problem in Brazil is bureaucracy (it is hard to get curcial material for research through customs in a timely matter) and brain drain with people like Miguel Nicholelis getting drafted by universities like Duke to do their reserach there.

It is steadily getting better though.

Originally posted by expt2233 It is not just big pharma. A lot of US public funds go into supporting the entire industry of medical research. The US has mastered the synergy of public/private research.

Glakso Smith Kline has partnered with FioCruz since 2009 to produce new, cheaper medicines and help distribute them on a wide scale in Brazil.  Tons of Americans have been in Rio over the last few years to help grow the partnership.

Just because you don't here much about r&d outside of the petroleum and engineering industries, doesn't mean it's not there.


Just because something has an "American" brand to it like Glaxo Smith Kline, doesn't mean it's not Brazilian.

Just because Brazilian industries haven't reached the same size as American ones, doesn't mean they aren't among the biggest or most advanced in the world.




Finally, if Brazil occasionally gets around the hurdles of Big Pharma to help people by breaking IP regs, then so be it.  Bostonians gets around their ridiculous prices by illegally importing drugs from Canada. Did Massachusetts suddenly leave the US and become a third world country that doesn't invest in research?

Originally posted by nikkij12185 Originally posted by expt2233 By the way, if they don't serve a social purpose, Brazil is free to create their own AIDS meds. Oh wait, they would never invest in such a thing... So, FioCruz doesn't exist? It isn't the largest vaccine producer in Latin America, constantly looking for cheaper cures, preventative measures and cheaper/more accurate diagnostic tests for common diseases in Brazil (parasites, tb, leptosirosis, etc.)?In tropical medicine, you simply don't get much better.  They even have a level 4 research lab where they do studies with Haunta Virus.  USP, UFSCar and UENF also have leading research programs that have produced some pretty cool results.  UFF is near the front globally for "pain management" programs, getting applause even from the Maio Clinic.  UERJ, along with USP, is a leader in neuroscience and clinical psychology reserach.The biggest problem in Brazil is bureaucracy (it is hard to get curcial material for research through customs in a timely matter) and brain drain with people like Miguel Nicholelis getting drafted by universities like Duke to do their reserach there.It is steadily getting better though. Originally posted by expt2233 It is not just big pharma. A lot of US public funds go into supporting the entire industry of medical research. The US has mastered the synergy of public/private research. Glakso Smith Kline has partnered with FioCruz since 2009 to produce new, cheaper medicines and help distribute them on a wide scale in Brazil.  Tons of Americans have been in Rio over the last few years to help grow the partnership.Just because you don't here much about r&d outside of the petroleum and engineering industries, doesn't mean it's not there. Just because something has an "American" brand to it like Glaxo Smith Kline, doesn't mean it's not Brazilian.Just because Brazilian industries haven't reached the same size as American ones, doesn't mean they aren't among the biggest or most advanced in the world.Finally, if Brazil occasionally gets around the hurdles of Big Pharma to help people by breaking IP regs, then so be it.  Bostonians gets around their ridiculous prices by illegally importing drugs from Canada. Did Massachusetts suddenly leave the US and become a third world country that doesn't invest in research?

1) two wrongs don't make a right. Besides, individual action does not equal state sponsorship. Importing drugs into the US from Canada is ILLEGAL and the gov't certainly tries to stop it.

2) Fio Cruz does exist. In fact, a relative of mine works there. But, how is that relevant to the issue at hand? Seems like you are most interested in talking about pride, the typical chip on your shoulder that's so omnipresent in Brazil...

Just because Brazil does SOME research it should be able to violate IP? No.

3) Who said the patents were held by the US? They are held by companies, universities, etc. It's that simple. Patents represent financial investment, not to mention intelligent management and human toiling. Trust me, I used to do bench work.

Any legit arguments to justify Brazil's blatant disregard for IP?

Edited by expt2233 - 02 February 2012 at 14:54

Originally posted by expt2233 Sven, you sound like one of those locals who walks around at night in the city saying 'it's not really that dangerous' while the cariocas around you take taxis cause they're not insane.

Where I live, everyone walks around at night.. No problemo.


I walk from the University to the subway, every night at 10:30, no problemo.

Depends on where you walk.

Sven, I was just kidding with you. About 11 years ago, I had a long talk with a Portuguese engineer whose job it was to filter human excremate from water. He said that they got the water "so" pure that they had to add minerals for human consumption.

I still would try to stay away from it. Sometimes I wonder if these people who bring the galãoes just fill them up with a hose tapped to the local water supply.

Originally posted by expt2233 10:30? I meant at night bro, like at 3 am in city center. You know, one of THOSE gringos...

PM

Nope, I'm not that type of gringo.