We rarely have chance to report good news from the Health Service front and yesterday's story about Indian scientists developing new drug manufacturing techniques is no exception.
The story of how the researchers have found a way to engineer molecules so that a drugs functionality is reproduced without patents being violated is wonderful news for the poor nations and good news for everyone except Big Pharma Corp. who have been bleeding us dry for decades of course of course. And great news for India which is really establishing itself as a world leader in technology.

We expect some mega lawsuits from American Corporations of course. We do not expect Big Pharma cartel members to get much sympathy in Indian courts though.

But in Britain, a nation where bureaucratic procedures account for more of the cost of drugs that the actual drugs themselves will we see any benefit?
Before you formulate your opinion you must recall that the National Health Service is an organisation that uses its mighty purchasing power, its army of highly trained buyers and its economies of scale to ensure that we, the PETs (poor effing taxpayers) fork out £4.50 for a pack of post it notes that could be bought at Tesco for £1.75 (probably even cheaper at Aldi.
So any saving accruing from the work of these wonderful Indian chemists will immediately be swallowed up by the cost of administering the process of buying the cheapest effective product on the market.
Where Government is concerned every price cut is an opportunity to increase the burden of administration.

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Scientists on a mission to bring cheap drugs to world's poorest nations.