At the IFPAC 2008 meeting this week, Dr. Janet Woodcock stated that PAT/QbD would become the "norm" more quickly if only drug manufacturers shared information on technologies employed in process control. However, as an old saying goes, "Does Macy's tell Gimbles what it is doing?"
Being able to lower costs on a product is s distinct advantage for any company. This gives it a sales edge over a rival who is selling a product for the same disease. Certainly, no company wants to inform a generic, about to go into competition for the same market with the same drug, how to produce it more cheaply and better. It is enough that the proprietary companies have the fiscal burden of R&D without showing a rival how to make the same product (that they discovered) cheaper (or better).
The downside to this is that while American/European companies are hoarding their technology from one another, the 800-pound gorilla (hint: China) is going to eat their lunch! The "contender" is quickly getting to where the "ageing champs" are and already has a salary advantage of neearly 20:1! Even using the old-fashioned way of producing a product, the "new kid" on the block is already cheaper.
"Cooperate or go the way of the Dodo" is a less subtle way to put Dr. Woodcock's message. Hmmmm?
