Abstract

In this article, we explain why profit-driven models for developing treatments for epidemic pathogens produce sub-optimal and sometimes negative public health outcomes. Using the example of the drug remdesivir, we demonstrate how the divergence of private incentives from public health needs has led to such outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conclude that policy responses to this and future pandemics ought to be conceived and designed in ways that narrow the divergence of private interests from public health needs, including through greater public-sector involvement in pharmaceutical R&D.

中文翻译：

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偏差调整与健康状态效用的性质

摘要

在本文中，我们解释了为什么开发流行病原体治疗的以利润为导向的模型会产生次优的，有时甚至负面的公共卫生成果。以药物remdesivir为例，我们证明了私人诱因与公共卫生需求之间的差异如何导致了COVID-19大流行期间的此类后果。我们得出结论，应以缩小私人利益与公共卫生需求之间的差异的方式（包括通过加大公共部门对药品研发的投入）来构想和设计针对当前和未来流行病的政策对策。