Ask HN: Encouraging generic drug makers to produce off-patent rare-disease drugs

3 points by ackbar03 ↗ HN
Hi HN,

There is a medication for a rare disease, which typically costs more than 6 figures, that I know is having its patent expiring soon.

I would love for generic drug makers (ones in India for example) to come in and start making the drug for cheaper so it is more affordable for families.

However, because it is a rare disease, I don't know if a drug maker would normally be incentivized to do this. But given the sky high costs of the drug pre patent expiration, I think there might be enough demand there for makers to make decent profit.

Say I wanted to give them a nudge, or maybe I get some people who I know are ready to pay for it if they make them, showing to the generic makers the demand is there. Does anyone know how I should go about this or if it's possible? Aside from the obvious, e.g. start emailing around and asking the manufacturers, does anyone have experience with this and know what to look out for?

And also I'm aware that regulations and things are a whole different issue but I'm currently just asking around hypothetically.

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