title: The problem with repurposing: Is there really an alternative to Big Pharma for developing new drugs for multiple sclerosis?
abstract: If it is not feasible to develop licensed drugs to the stage that they can actually be prescribed for a new indication, can we justify, either ethically or economically, the undertaking of proof-of-concept studies using off-patent medications? Without a financial incentive it is very difficult to repurpose off patent drugs for a new indication. Therefore, we need a political solution to allow the repurposing of off-patent drugs by other stakeholders or Big Pharma.
authors: Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: g.giovannoni@qmul.ac.uk.
authors: Gavin
authors: G
authors: Giovannoni
authors: Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Baker
authors: Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Schmierer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D058492:Drug Repositioning; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
keywords: Caldribine; Drug development; Multiple sclerosis; Pharmaceutical industry; Simvastatin