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Judi Lynn

(160,218 posts)
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 06:39 PM Aug 2020

'Taking Taxpayers for a Ride': Moderna to Charge $32-$37/Dose for Covid-19 Vaccine Developed Entirel

Published on
Wednesday, August 05, 2020
by Common Dreams

'Taking Taxpayers for a Ride': Moderna to Charge $32-$37/Dose for Covid-19 Vaccine Developed Entirely With Public Funds
"It ought to be the people's vaccine, not a new taxpayer burden."

by Jake Johnson, staff writer

Consumer advocates warned Wednesday that pharmaceutical giant Moderna is "taking taxpayers for a ride" after the company announced plans to charge between $32 and $37 per dose for a potential Covid-19 vaccine developed entirely with funds from the U.S. federal government.

"Taxpayers are paying for 100% of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine development. All of it," Peter Maybarduk, director of the Access to Medicines Program at Public Citizen, said in a statement. "Yet taxpayers may wind up paying tens of billions more to Moderna to buy our vaccine back, if it proves safe and effective."

"The so-called Moderna vaccine belongs in significant part to the people of the U.S," said Maybarduk. "We paid for it. Federal scientists led the way. It ought to be the people's vaccine, not a new taxpayer burden."

The experimental vaccine is currently undergoing a Phase 3 clinical trial that is expected to enroll around 30,000 adult volunteers who do not have Covid-19, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Trial results are expected as early as October.

More:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/05/taking-taxpayers-ride-moderna-charge-32-37dose-covid-19-vaccine-developed-entirely

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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'Taking Taxpayers for a Ride': Moderna to Charge $32-$37/Dose for Covid-19 Vaccine Developed Entirel (Original Post) Judi Lynn Aug 2020 OP
Sounds pretty cheap. Does CommonDreams want to take on the liability for Hoyt Aug 2020 #1
"All of it" seems pretty finite. Ferrets are Cool Aug 2020 #2
Since it's so cheap (NOT), maybe you could help us all out by... AmyStrange Aug 2020 #5
Yes, it's quite cheap, especially when you consider the savings if it is effective Hoyt Aug 2020 #7
Maybe, but... AmyStrange Aug 2020 #8
I agree with the "they've got nothing to show for it." But if an effective Hoyt Aug 2020 #9
I wouldn't either, although... AmyStrange Aug 2020 #10
The government invested some money, they didn't pay for the whole cost Hoyt Aug 2020 #11
You're a nitpicker, huh? AmyStrange Aug 2020 #12
Moderna should probably actually MAKE a vaccine before they set the price for it. Squinch Aug 2020 #3
You are so right, and... AmyStrange Aug 2020 #6
Corporate Welfare NotANeocon Aug 2020 #4
 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
1. Sounds pretty cheap. Does CommonDreams want to take on the liability for
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 06:45 PM
Aug 2020

issues in development, production, etc., testing costs, etc.? And, it’s not even approved yet.

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
5. Since it's so cheap (NOT), maybe you could help us all out by...
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:18 PM
Aug 2020

-

you can figure out the rest, but thank you,

bullitra
================

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
7. Yes, it's quite cheap, especially when you consider the savings if it is effective
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:25 PM
Aug 2020

Fortunately, others are developing vaccines, we’ll see if they charge less than $35.

Consider price of Flu vaccine, mumps, shingles, etc.

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
8. Maybe, but...
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:37 PM
Aug 2020

-

what exactly are they basing that price on since they've got nothing to show for it?

"Hey, you, I've got the cure for this Covid crap somewhere up in my head, but I'll need 35$ from everybody before I'll give it to you."

"Why 35 dollars?"

"I'm not sure yet, but my lawyer says that's what it'll cost for all the lawsuits that are sure to follow."

"Your lawyer?!"

"Yeah, I owe him big time. He's kept me out of jail more times than I can even count, and plus, he knows Trump!"
=============

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
9. I agree with the "they've got nothing to show for it." But if an effective
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:46 PM
Aug 2020

vaccine costs $35, we could vaccinate everyone in US for less than $12 Billion, plus some administration fee.

Considering the lives, etc., saved, that’s a bargain. And, there’s no reason the cost can’t be negotiated downwards when the time comes and several vaccines are in the running.

BTW: If trump personally developed and paid for it, I still wouldn’t vote for him. Don’t believe others would either.

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
10. I wouldn't either, although...
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:55 PM
Aug 2020

-

he kind of is the head of the government (tongue in cheek) and the government did pay for this, so in a weird kind of way...

Anyway, one thing I would like to know is who actually ends up getting this 12 billion dollars?
==========

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
11. The government invested some money, they didn't pay for the whole cost
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 08:06 PM
Aug 2020

of development, distribution, regulatory compliance, etc. The company existed before, had already done research, etc.

The $483 million was probably more for access, quicker ramping up, etc. We invested even more in other companies.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-16/moderna-snares-483-million-u-s-funding-for-covid-vaccine-tests

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
3. Moderna should probably actually MAKE a vaccine before they set the price for it.
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:01 PM
Aug 2020

So far, they haven't made a vaccine and there is no reason to believe they will.

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
6. You are so right, and...
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:22 PM
Aug 2020

-

what exactly are they basing this price on to begin with?
===============

NotANeocon

(423 posts)
4. Corporate Welfare
Wed Aug 5, 2020, 07:11 PM
Aug 2020

If the corporate sector are going to take taxpayer money to operate then the provider of the capital deserves dividends just like any investor -

Corporate socialism can't go only one way.

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