www.thelantern.com
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Ohio State’s independent student voice since 1881
Why life-saving drugs are so inaccessible and how one student group is working to change that By Emma Wozniak Editor-in-Chief This story has been shortened for this print edition. See the full version at thelantern.com/special-projects/
T
LQIHFWLRQ ² WKDW FDPH IURP SUHYLRXVO\ established treatments. This drug’s discovery was a big win for Ohio State researchers, who took the lead role in acalabrutinib’s development and eventual FDA approval. The drug’s high cost, however, has also drawn the attention of a global organization dedicated to making medical WHFKQRORJLHV PRUH D̆RUGDEOH DQG DFcessible to patients who need them. Universities Allied for Essential
Medicines, a student-led organization that spans 100 universities across 20 FRXQWULHV KDV FUHDWHG DQ $̆RUGDEOH $FFHVV 3ODQ ² D IHZ SDUDJUDSKV RI ODQJXDJH ² WKDW XQLYHUVLWLHV FDQ DGG WR their technology licensing agreements with external companies. 7KH $$3 ZRXOG UHTXLUH DQ\ FRPpany, pharmaceutical or otherwise, to outline plans to make new drugs or SURGXFWV PRUH D̆RUGDEOH WR FXVWRPers.
ARTS & LIFE
SPORTS
axpayers shelled out at least $3.8 million to help develop a cancer GUXJ WKDW R̆HUV QHZ SURPLVH WR SDtients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It now costs over $194,000 per year TOP STORIES for those who need it. )RU SHRSOH VX̆HULQJ IURP YDULRXV rare forms of blood cancer, acalabruWLQLE R̆HUV LPSURYHG OLIH TXDOLW\ E\ BUSINESS 4 UHGXFLQJ VHULRXV VLGH H̆HFWV ² QDPHTwo years of student concierge service ly, suppressed immune systems that left patients dangerously vulnerable to Just Call Joni
FOOTBALL Buckeyes return home for Big Ten matchup against Purdue
8
Beyond the credit a university receives for aiding in the discovery of a new drug, colleges also receive royalty payments, which are usually a perFHQWDJH RI WKH SUR¿WV HDUQHG IURP WKH drug once it’s on the market. Although it is unclear how much money Ohio State has made from acalabrutinib, Justin Mendoza, UAEM’s North American executive director, said royalty payments may explain
DRUG continues on Pages 2 & 3
Visit our website, thelantern.com for more!