August 28, 2007

The idea that - like in every other industry - profits drive innovation in health care is practically heresy in certain quarters. But that doesn't make it any less true. Take this article in yesterday's New York Times, "Vaccines and Their Promise Are Roaring Back."

THE prospect of profit drives innovators, perhaps as much as solving the technical problems that make innovation possible.

This truism is gaining new currency among innovators in the once-legendary field of vaccines.

Actually, it's gaining new currency among payers - including governments - that once viewed vaccines as cheap commodities and paid companies accordingly. But as vaccine technology has improved, companies are now demanding a premium for their products, and generally getting it. Here's hoping that this trend continues.

Posted by Paul Howard at August 28, 2007 04:35 PM

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