The Venomously Fee Hand of the Market 0

I have been receiving Popular Mechanics for some reason or other. I sometimes find something interesting in it, but certainly not enough to renew the subscription that came to me from I know not where. I’m not planning to build my own submarine or jump off a mountain in a homemade flying suit any time soon.

This issue is different: I learned from it that the supply of anti-venom used to counteract bites from venomous snakes in the United States and throughout the world is drying up. The anti-venom is not much in demand because not all that many persons get snake bites; but it’s absolutely necessary for those who do.

Why the shortage? The drug companies consider the market just too small and aren’t interested in making the stuff.

Unlike other types of drugs, the ones we see advertised on cable television, the drug companies cannot mount ad campaigns to convince persons to ask their doctors for some anti-venom they way they try to convince persons to ask their doctors for sleeping pills.

Do you have trouble sleeping an night? You might have snake bite. Ask your doctor about Antivenomax, the diamondback pill!.

Remember,

Red on black,
friend of Jack.
Black on red,
Antivenomax–
the diamondback pill.

Nah. Won’t work.

So if a venomous snake bites you, you may just be on your own.

Here’s more from the U. K. Independent newspaper.