Why was so much effort expended on Viagra instead of a cure for AIDS?
Viagra wasn't created for the purpose of treating ED, it was originally meant as a treatment for high blood pressure and angina[1]. The fact that it caused erections just caused Pfizer to shift to marketing it as an ED treatment. So it's not like they were spending tons of research money specifically to "help old men have erections."
Knowing this, even if they wanted to do it for the good of humanity drug companies couldn't - they'd be busted for failing their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders!
Not necessarily true. Drug companies have worked on cures for diseases that are prevalent in the 3rd world, and they have even - on occasion - intentionally distributed that cure for free, to people who couldn't afford it. [2]
Viagra wasn't created for the purpose of treating ED, it was originally meant as a treatment for high blood pressure and angina[1]. The fact that it caused erections just caused Pfizer to shift to marketing it as an ED treatment. So it's not like they were spending tons of research money specifically to "help old men have erections."
Knowing this, even if they wanted to do it for the good of humanity drug companies couldn't - they'd be busted for failing their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders!
Not necessarily true. Drug companies have worked on cures for diseases that are prevalent in the 3rd world, and they have even - on occasion - intentionally distributed that cure for free, to people who couldn't afford it. [2]
[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sildenafil
[2]: http://www.mectizan.org/history