Big Pharma contributions significant

5/5/2007

Your April 22 editorial, "A match for Big Pharma," overlooked the significant contribution America's pharmaceutical research companies make in the development of innovative new medicines.

The discovery of new medicines is difficult, with an average of 10 to 15 years and more than $800 million needed to bring each new drug to market. The Gates Foundation's Global Health mission is to help further the advancement of life saving medical developments, and that is exactly what America's pharmaceutical research companies are striving to do.

Malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, river blindness, and polio are just a few of the devastating diseases that the industry has targeted for treatment or eradication by donating health services and millions of doses of medicines and vaccines.

For example, pharmaceutical research companies have spent decades developing medicines that offer hope to millions of AIDS patients. At present, our member companies have 77 new medicines or vaccines in development for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and related conditions. We must all contribute in the effort to conquer disease.

For the uninsured and underinsured, more than 475 assistance programs sponsored by America's pharmaceutical companies are available through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (www.pparx.org).

So far more than 740,000 Ohioans, and more than 3.7 million people nationwide, have been matched to programs that offer free or nearly free medicines.

Ken Johnson

Senior Vice President

Pharmaceutical Research

and Manufacturers of America

Washington, D.C.

Thank you for Ben Konop's April 22 article, "Economic opportunity looms for local firms." Mr. Konop's recent trip to China brought about creative thinking and new ways to improve the Lucas County economy.

Mr. Konop has the foresight and creativity to view Toledo with a bright future. The connection between what we have to offer the Chinese as well as what they can offer us seems like a win-win situation.

Toledo is a great community with the building of new schools, tapping into solar energy, the merging of the medical college with the University of Toledo, and the plentiful uses for Lake Erie.

Mr. Konop is a great role model for us all, looking ahead and feeling optimistic.

Sometimes our own Toledo natives tend be our worst enemies when it comes to speaking about Toledo.

Mr. Konop offers hope.

Susan Hyman

Standing Timbers Lane

I would like to suggest that the next time Bernadette Noe calls to complain about her husband's living conditions, let the answering machine pick up the call.

Jamie Black

Waterville