So allow more than one manufacturer to make this drug. I'm sure many will jump into the market at well below this guys 5000% increase in price. Granting more power to central planners to regulate price is fucking stupid. They already fucked this one up to setup a situation like this. Why give them more opportunity to fuck it up more?
Fast track allowing more manufacturers. Watch as this guy crumbles under the weight of competition.
I think at this point, a bit stronger response is required to nip this in the bud. First, fix the damned FDA. NO drug should be limited to only one manufacturer, even under patent, if only because that company may well decide to not manufacture it in favor of a more profitable drug or, well, do what this guy did. And because one factory can always be taken out by terrorists. Homeland Security requires that we strip your monopoly. And while we're at it - random body cavity searches! For their own protection, natch.
Second, I'd like to see a multi-step federal response. First, give immediate federal grants to three different American companies to cover their cost of set-up to manufacture this drug. If it's useful for malaria, we can always buy it up and donate it to South and Central American nations, Asian nations, African nations, etc. after the bottom falls out.
Second, let's make sure this company is meeting all its societal obligations. Let's start with the workers and send a hundred OSHA inspectors to inspect literally every square inch of their facilities as well as every procedure. Damn it, we've got to protect these workers! Next, let's send in a hundred IRS auditors to make absolutely sure that this company is correctly reporting every transaction and is in compliance with every single applicable law, ordinance, and regulation. Third, let's send in a hundred FDA inspectors to inspect every single process. Gotta make sure such an expensive drug is manufactured with only the utmost in sanitary equipment, procedures, and practices. Fourth, let's send in a hundred custom agents to audit their exports and imports. Gotta make sure these are in line with the laws - ALL the laws. Now, each of these groups will need to interview every employee - and every recent ex-employee - as part of their investigation, but that's a small burden to pay for the manufacturer of such a profitable drug. Heck, I figure we could have the whole thing wrapped up in three months. Maybe six. Definitely under a year. Ish.
Third, let's make sure the CXOs are meeting all their societal obligations. For each, I think perhaps a dozen IRS auditors each should do the trick. Maybe a score - purely for the CXOs' benefit of course. I'm sure they have quite complicated tax filings; we need to help them make sure they are 100% in compliance, as far back as the law allows. For instance, are they actually including every possible taxable benefit they receive? Every time they travel, are they traveling with family members or other non-coworkers? If so, let's make sure they are paying taxes on the proper cash value of those benefits and that portion of the time spent on non-work. Are they paying state taxes for that portion of the year each spends in states with state income taxes? Did the company provide a limo or a cab? Taxable benefit. Airline tickets? Taxable benefit. Resort hotel? Sounds like a paid vacation. Charitable donations? Hmm, probably better check out that charity, just to make sure the donation actually happened and was properly valued. Penalties will of course accrue if discrepancies are found, but the execs are free to retain lawyers and plead their case.
If they're going to fuck the public, then let's all play. Hard.
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