Please join us for a candid discussion between Genzyme CEO, David Meeker, and Boston Globe healthcare and life sciences reporter, Robert Weisman, on the value, economics, and perception of drugs and drug development. The annual healthcare cost in the United States is roughly $4 trillion per year and rising. This large and ever increasing cost drives a national debate on ways to control and reduce healthcare spending.  The perceived high cost of drugs has become a preferred target, despite only accounting for 10% of the total healthcare costs. Some argue that drugs are overpriced while others believe that novel drugs are the key to reducing healthcare costs.
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The potential to keep a patient out of the hospital or even provide a cure holds tremendous value and potential cost savings. But why do so many people think of the drug development industry in a negative light? Can society afford drugs the way they are priced now?  Do novel drugs provide the appropriate value relative to their costs for patients?  Do the pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing drugs deserve to have a better reputation?  Can new drugs ultimately lower overall healthcare costs? We will discuss these and other important questions.

Presenters:

David Meeker, MD, President & CEO, Genzyme Corporation, a Sanofi Company

Robert Weisman, Boston Globe Healthcare and Life Sciences Reporter

5 – 6:00 Networking and Registration

6:00 – 7:30 Program