Austin American-Statesman: Biopharmaceutical companies merit support

No one can disagree the biopharmaceutical industry has assisted in saving countless lives. However often disregarded from the conversation of medicine is the lack of prevention studies. Instead, we tend to focus on covering the prevalent symptoms. And in a system where you never find the cause but only postpone the casualty, of course you will find economic growth. 

In a recent opinion article in the Austin American-Statesman, Travis Baugh, a representative of Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, crafts an interesting argument as to why state and federal lawmakers should focus on supporting the biopharmaceutical industry. Emphasizing only on the economical and health benefits, Baugh neglects to focus on the underlying issue in our health care industry: lack of prescribed whole, fresh foods.

Though I do agree we must invest in the education of science, including biopharmaceuticals, in hopes to truly improve the economy and strengthen our communities, neglecting to address the fundamental problem of virtually all modern diseases and illnesses (type II diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart diseases, blood diseases…) will not lead to a substantial solution to health nor economical issues.

The United States spends more than twice on health care – per capita and as a percentage of GDP – than any other nation. Of the $2.6 trillion spent in 2010 on health care, it is estimated 75% of which was on preventable diseases and illnesses with proper nutrition (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, American Public Health Association). Moreover there is quite a socioeconomic disparity of the out-of-pocket financial burden of health care on low and middle income families as shown in the 2005 study by Health Services Research. 

While Baugh makes great points on the positive impact of the biopharmaceutical industry (which remember is the one he works in) on health and the Texas’ economy, he is missing these pivotal facts. Moreover I find his concluding statements intriguing - mainly his support of the Council for Medical Innovation’s proposal to create a federal office to promote medical innovation, public-private partnerships to encourage such innovation, and increase investments funding for medical research and development and manufacturing. In order to make significant, lasting improvements in our health and economy, these proposals to further the development of the biopharmaceuticals will be only effective if it is supplementing nutritional studies and educational programs, as well as the construction of a system to decrease the out-of-pocket financial burdens, rather than the reverse.