In this class we've discussed the ramifications of designer knockoffs. The image of the brand is tarnished, and consumers, producers, and government alike suffer from it. In "Knockouts of Knockoffs: The Global Implication of Fashion Piracy," Melissa Decker argues that consumers are "blinded by their desire to look immaculately fashionable without spending a fortune." She notes that the counterfeiting problems will escalate if action is not taken from all parties.
So that brings me to the subject of generics. If you look at food, its hard to say which are watered down, not so delicious knockoffs, and which are the same recipe, same machines, same factory, different packaging. With medicine, I always wondered whether or not the generic was as capable as the original. I've heard people argue from both sides; that it is the same active ingredients, or that dosages can be off. Well for the record, according to the FDA, they are the same. What happens is that patents need to expire before the drugs can be reproduced by different companies. Its a shame though, since the mass produced drugs would be far cheaper and could save the lives of many who can't afford the original. Well, to play devil's advocate to myself, this sort of system does encourage innovation needed in medicine, but I digress. The point is, generic medicine is a perfectly fine substitute.
Janice Lam
Blog #5
Melissa Decker, "Knockouts of Knockoffs: The Global Implication of Fashion Piracy,"
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm100100.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment