Recently, Iran launched a retaliatory strike against Israel, and the conflict between the two countries has once again become the focus of global attention. Just when the attention of the outside world was involved in the Middle East, a domestic news that seemed to have nothing to do with the conflict quietly detonated the field of public opinion - Shulan Medical Company, founded by Li Lanjuan, hit the IPO listing, and the market value is expected to exceed 8 billion yuan.
As a leading figure in the mainland's anti-epidemic cause, Academician Li Lanjuan was originally widely respected and grateful by the public. However, this time, the company's listing was met with doubts. The reasons for this are mainly focused on two aspects: the first is the new crown drug promoted by Shulan Medical, and the second is the large-scale nucleic acid testing during the epidemic.
Regarding the new crown specific drug, the outside world doubts that the focus on the effect of the drug cannot be accurately verified. Although the drug was developed by Academician Li Lanjuan, it is still controversial whether it has undergone sufficient clinical trials. Some commentators have suggested that it is irresponsible to promote the use of drugs before their efficacy is clear and may mislead patients. This is not in line with the expectations of the masses of the people for medical experts.
In fact, any new drug needs to be tested in accordance with the process before it is marketed, which is a matter of patient rights. In addition, Shulan Medical has other drugs in the research and development stage, all of which are subject to regulatory approval. Therefore, the effects of drugs should not be over-interpreted, nor should all drugs be simply equal. The most important thing is to ensure the standardization of R&D and application.
According to public information, it is an oral new coronavirus inhibitor, designed and developed by the team of academician Li Lanjuan for the key enzyme protein of the new coronavirus. The drug has shown the effect of inhibiting viral replication in in vitro experiments.
However, from the results of clinical trials, it has not been proven to have a significant advantage over ordinary symptomatic treatment. Objective assessment of efficacy requires rigorous Phase 3 clinical trials, so conclusions should not be drawn prematurely.
In terms of nucleic acid testing, due to the high national procurement price during the epidemic, Shulan Medical has achieved an amazing transformation from loss to profit through large-scale testing. To some extent, this has also raised concerns about the marketization of medical care - the epidemic has promoted the rapid accumulation of personal interests, but it is also worth discussing whether the allocation of public resources is reasonable.
Indeed, nucleic acid testing has become an important means of prevention and control during the epidemic, and it is reasonable that the country will not hesitate to invest huge sums of money to meet the demand. At the same time, it is understandable that the institutions involved in the testing will receive a reasonable return.
However, whether the flow and distribution of funds are completely fair and equitable, and whether the use of funds is efficient and transparent, needs to be further monitored. If the pursuit of personal interests deviates from the track of fair competition and rational allocation, it may harm the public interest.
For example, nucleic acid testing is a public health service, and its price is set by the government. During the epidemic, high-priced purchases brought about the overall profit growth of the industrial chain to a certain extent. But there is also a need to consider the contribution of different roles. If the benefits of the individual far outweigh the contributions, it will inevitably weaken the society's sense of distributive fairness. This also brings food for thought to the future reform of the medical system.
As an expert and scholar, it is normal for Academician Li Lanjuan to attract attention to her business behavior to a certain extent. But we should not make subjective slander and speculation. The development of Shulan Medical also needs to be reasonably promoted under legal norms and ethical norms to ensure the reasonable and effective allocation of social resources and safeguard the demands of patients.
Whether it is business or academic, dedication and responsibility are particularly important. Let us maintain a rational and open attitude and promote the progress of China's medical industry through communication and supervision. At the same time, we should also continue to explore how to take into account fairness and justice in the process of marketization, realize the optimal allocation of medical resources, and ensure that the rights and interests of all parties are taken care of in a balanced manner.
Only by adhering to the core values of socialism can we grasp the degree of development and achieve harmonious coexistence. Let us all uphold a positive and rational attitude, continue to promote medical reform, and strive to build China's medical system into a more scientific, standardized and humane one.