Some chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents, whether naturally, accidentally, or intentionally released, can be very damaging and pose a high risk to national security, owing to their potential for economic and social disruption. Efficacious pharmaceutical research and development could protect populations against such agents via new prophylactic drugs and vaccines or post-exposure treatment with antidotes and antimicrobials. However, because of the unpredictable nature of when, if ever, the health risks of specific CBRN agents might be realized, the development of medical countermeasures against these agents carries less promise of free market rewards to entice investment, and thus this development necessitates public funding or incentives. In terms of defining the level and targets of such public funding, the potential economic impact of any realized threat must be determined.
These articles raise public and private awareness and examine the specific components of market failure — research and development efforts vs. market rewards associated with medical countermeasures against rare, but deadly diseases (e.g. CBRN agents).
Pay Now or Pay More
Pay Now or Pay More Abstract: There is no way to tell exactly what the economic damage from the COVID-19 impact will be, but initial estimates predict most major economies will lose at least 2.4 percent of their GDP over 2020 as a whole (OECD 2020). To put this number in perspective, global GDP was estimated at around 86.6 trillion USD in 2019. Every single 1 percent drop in global economic growth amounts to almost 1 trillion USD in lost economic output. Based on the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this article underlines the [...]
Interdependent Factors of Demand-Side Rationale for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures
Interdependent Factors of Demand-Side Rationale for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Abstract: The deliberate use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in war or terrorist attacks is perceived as a great threat globally. In the event of a release of CBRN agents, protection by means of medical countermeasures (MedCMs) could reduce health vulnerability. Nonetheless, for some diseases caused by these agents, innovative MedCMs do not exist and many of those that do might not be readily available. Inappropriate research and development funding and government procurement efforts can result in adverse economic consequences (eg, lost [...]
Strengthening the Cost Effectiveness of Medical Countermeasure Development Against Rare Biological Threats: The Ebola Outbreak
Strengthening the Cost Effectiveness of Medical Countermeasure Development Against Rare Biological Threats: The Ebola Outbreak Abstract: Some chemical, biological, radiological, andnuclear agents, whether naturally, accidentally, or intentionally released, can be very damaging and pose a high risk to national security, owing to their potential for economic and social disruption. Efficacious pharmaceutical research and development could protect populationsagainst such agents via new prophylactic drugs and vaccines or post-exposure treatment with antidotes andantimicrobials. However, because of the unpredictable nature of when, if ever, the health risks of specific chemical,biological, radiological, and nuclear agents might be realized, the development of medical [...]
When Investment for Medical Countermeasures against Rare, but Dangerous Agents Becomes Cost Effective – The Ebola Case
When Investment for Medical Countermeasures against Rare, but Dangerous Agents Becomes Cost Effective – The Ebola Case Cost Research Article: Economics surrounding the Ebola Outbreak (short version) Introduction: There are countless chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents that are proficient enough to harm individuals. Examples include viruses (e.g. influenza) and bacteria which are widely distributed by nature, but also some which are far less common, such as the Ebola virus. Cases include chemical (e.g. organophosphorus compounds [OP]) and radiological agents which have been birthed by humans. Although some CBRN agents pose low prevalence (the proportion of individuals in a population at risk that are diversely affected) and incidence (number of new cases of a disease caused by CBRN agents over [...]
When Investment for Medical Countermeasures against Rare, but Dangerous Agents Becomes Cost Effective – The Ebola Case
When Investment for Medical Countermeasures against Rare, but Dangerous Agents Becomes Cost Effective – The Ebola Case Cost Research Article: Economics surrounding the Ebola Outbreak (short version) Introduction: There are countless chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents that are proficient enough to harm individuals. Examples include viruses (eg influenza) and bacteria which are widely distributed by nature, but also some which are far less common, such as the Ebola virus. Cases include chemical (eg organophosphates) and radiological agents which have been birthed by humans. Although some CBR agents pose low prevalence (the proportion of individuals in a population at risk that are adversely affected) and incidence (number of new cases of a disease caused by CBR agents over a given period [...]
Medical Countermeasures: Challenging the Status Quo
Medical Countermeasures: Challenging the Status Quo Policy Status Article: CBRN Medical Countermeasures Introduction: The medical countermeasures (MCMs) chapter of the CBRNe World Directory 2013 included a focus on the history of MCMs, required market characteristics to stimulate its availability, and various positions of international institutions and public figureheads concerning the need for relevant CBR (chemical, biological, radiological) MCM preparedness plans. Consequently, it became evident there would be a need for cooperation between government and industry. Since then, a hearty observance has been dedicated toward perceiving changes in international (non-US) CBR policy as well as related actionable behaviour towards developing innovative MCMs. Johnson, M. L. (2014). Medical Countermeasures: Challenging the Status Quo. In G. Winfield (Ed.), CBRNe World Directory 2014 (2nd [...]
Doctor and the Medics: Mark Johnson on the International Availability of Medical Countermeasures (MCM)
Doctor and the Medics: Mark Johnson on the International Availability of Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Mark Johnson on the international availability of medical countermeasures (MCM). Introduction: Ratification of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons, symbolised a broad determination not to engage in offensive war strategies that deploy weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Further inspired by the end of World War II, as well as limited historical use of WMD, there arose a cause for governments around the world to abandon their offensive ambitions and adapt more defensive strategies that were aimed towards protecting themselves, just in case a WMD attack should happen. By 1955-1956, for example, work at the two Porton Down establishments in the UK [...]
Europe Lacks Medical Countermeasures for Responding to a CBR Terrorist Attack
Europe Lacks Medical Countermeasures for Responding to a CBR Terrorist Attack Mark Lawrence Johnson creates awareness concering lack of CBRN Medical Countermeasure preparedness. Introduction: Over the last years, the threat that terrorists could resort to using weapons of mass destruction (WMD) such as chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents in Europe has been credibly asserted by institutions such as the European Commission, Interpol, the United Nations and NATO. However, whilst the assumed level of probability that a WMD attack will actually happen remains low, the CBR medical countermeasures (MCMs) required to respond to such an incident are expensive to develop and involve a lengthy process till they can be ready for market. Johnson, M. L. (2012). Europe lacks medical countermeasures for [...]
Statement of MJ Lawrence Consulting: Seventh Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention 2011
Statement of MJ Lawrence Consulting: Seventh Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention 2011 Statement of MJ Lawrence Consulting to the SEVENTH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION Introduction: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, and distinguished delegates. Thank you for this opportunity to make a statement at the Seventh Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention on behalf of MJ Lawrence Consulting. MJ Lawrence Consulting is based in Munich, Germany and independently facilitates communication between government and industry; specializing in the international availability of medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, and radiological agents... Johnson, M. L. (2011). Seventh Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention. United Nations. Download Full [...]
Euro-View: Mark Johnson on CBR Medical Countermeasures
Euro-View: Mark Johnson on CBR Medical Countermeasures Mark Lawrence Johnson creates awareness concering lack of CBRN Medical Countermeasure preparedness. Introduction: Over the last years, the threat that terrorists could resort to using weapons of mass destruction (WMD) such as chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents in Europe has been credibly asserted by institutions such as the European Commission, Interpol, the United Nations and NATO. However, whilst the assumed level of probability that a WMD attack will actually happen remains low, the CBR medical countermeasures (MCMs) required to respond to such an incident are expensive to develop and involve a lengthy process till they can be ready for market. Johnson, M. L. (2011, November). Euro-View: Mark Johnson on CBR medical countermeasures. Security [...]
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