From misappropriating IP to taxation without representation and poor pandemic management, what’s to like about the WHO? My recent piece in the Financial Post, here.
The Kindest Cut
In the first of two papers for the Macdonald-Laurier institute examining the history and impact of drug price controls in Canada, I argue for doing away with the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and leading nations toward a more equitable sharing of the costs of pharmaceutical development. The first paper is here, and the second will be published shortly.
Richard C. Owens: On IP appropriation, just say no to the WHO
The WHO, presumably trying to ensure we’ll be less prepared for the next pandemic even than this one, is considering requiring intellectual property rights to vaccines and treatments to be overridden in the event of another public health crisis. The op-ed is here.
Opinion: Time to decide: Do we want foreign R&D or not?
My op-ed, with the redoubtable Nigel Rawson, on impediments to life sciences investment in Canada.
Richard C. Owens: On vaccine patents, the logic of bandits
Perhaps private enterprise and intellectual property have never served us so well as during the COVID-19 pandemic when, with sudden vaccines and numerous new therapies, the life sciences industry saved the world. In spite of that, short-sighted and spiteful people argue for seizing the intellectual property, of all types, relating to COVID-19 vaccines, therapies and devices through a World Trade Organization intellectual property waiver. In the Financial Post, I write why this is a bad idea. My op-ed is here.
Subsidizing innovation doesn’t work
Trying to subsidize our way to an innovative, productive economy is perverse and stupid. Read why in my Financial Post op-ed, here.
2020 Hindsight
Here’s my piece for the National Post, reflecting on the lessons of 2020.
Can Canada Innovate?
Canada has a profound cultural resistance to innovation, and reinforces that through counter-productive policies. Health care is one of the least innovative fields, and Canada does all it can to keep it that way. My recent op-ed in the Financial Post is here.
Global Trade and Intellectual Property Alliance Intellectual Property Principles
I helped draft–and aver!–these principles of intellectual property protection.
Richard C. Owens: In GoldTV, internet activism runs aground. Again The servants of Google and TorrentFreak despoil the creative scene, supporting piracy over productivity
My article on GoldTV.