Public health - The speech to Taru's Parliament

Extract

[...] Therefore, one could conclude in the simplest way that if we let private companies have the sale of the drug, which reminds us that it is necessary for our nation, its price would become too high for all our citizens to have access to it. In fact, the problem that we raise is that the market failure that comes from its own nature is going to cause a serious externality since it could lead to the continuation of the epidemic. [...]

[...] Public health - The speech to Taru's Parliament First of all, we must fully consider the threat posed by the virus circulating in our nation. When we know that about 25% of the population is infected and that this figure is tending to increase rapidly; distributing a remedy quickly seems to be indispensable. So we all agree that the entire population needs to be treated, but the question remains as to how. Moreover, there persists a will, which we can show is poorly motivated, to let a system of free enterprise ensure this distribution of the remedy. [...]

[...] But most importantly, all our citizens would have an equal chance to receive the appropriate treatment and to be saved, which I believe is essential in a country such as ours, which must first and foremost protect its population. In the hope that you will here take full measure of your duty to our people and that you will access the most logical and effective option available to you to make this medicine a public good. [...]

[...] Moreover, when we know that certain positive externalities in the medical field save lives, it is necessary to reproduce the pattern, since vaccination campaigns protect those who are vaccinated, but in reality, the disease is eradicated and even those who are not vaccinated benefit from the externality that is generated. Thus, in the face of such an externality, which would cost lives to our fellow citizens, and which would have the disadvantage of costing exorbitant prices to everyone, is it not better for everyone, both economically and health-wise, that the government distribute this good, which would thus become a public good for the good of all. We can easily conclude that this would have the effect of satisfying the costs of the companies that produce the medicine. [...]