The Widening Gaps in Pharmaceutical Therapies: Cost – Health – Trust

The National Capitol Region World Future Society will be hosting a panel on widening gaps in pharmaceutical therapies and how they can be accessed by all citizens in the future the evening of October 20,2005 at the Embassy Suites, Friendship Heights, 4300 Military Road, Washington D.C. NW.

(PRWEB) October 9, 2005 -- Pharmaceutical therapies are unquestionably scientific miracles. They offer substantial improvements in health for a variety of diseases, many that are significantly better than any other kind of therapy. Three major forces are posing an interesting dilemma for American healthcare:

1. Healthcare costs (including pharmaceuticals) is increasing faster than wages -- Every year Americans are spending more on pharmaceuticals. Major mergers have a few pharmaceutical giants pumping billions into research and development of new therapies. And yet, new drug applications are decreasing, making companies, stockholders, and other stakeholders nervous.

2. Many new, expensive therapies offer only marginal improvements over generics – Even with the money spent, many pharmaceutical researchers and healthcare professionals believe that the “bang for the buck” is decreasing in healthcare research.

3. America is becoming increasingly suspicious toward pharmaceutical companies. – Despite the benefits provided by drug companies, the American popular perspective is often one of mistrust, they wonder, why do they profit so much? What information are they hiding about side effects?

Join us as we host a panel of leading experts in the future of medicine to explore this topic.

Our panelists are:
- Jay Herson,Pharmaceutical Development Expert;
- John Rother,AARP a current and future consumer group of health care and
- Dr. Bill Rowley, MD - Institute for Alternative Futures, fmr. U.S. Navy surgeon and Admiral and a contributor to a report on future military medical care in 2020.
- Eric Garland, member of the National Capitol Region WFS will be the moderator.

Location: Embassy Suites Hotel, Friendship Heights, 4300 Military Road, Washington D.C.. (Friendship Heights Metro stop on the Red line. Parking in garage and on street.Schedule: 6:00 Cocktails;6:45 Dinner; Panel Program from 7:15 – 9:00

Registration: At www.natcapwfs.org $34 non-members; $29 members; $25 students under 26. Advance paid reservations are strongly encouraged by COB October 18, 2005. Reservations may not be cancelled after that date, and no shows will be charged. Last minute registrants may pay at the door. Please contact Ken Harris with any questions or if you wish to pay by check at 301-657-3731.

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