Lilly Joins the Fight in Indiana

One of America's biggest pharmaceutical businesses is Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY), based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Yesterday, they announced a philanthropic project to fight the spread of COVID-19, starting in their home state.  Through collecting samples from affected individuals, they will apply their extensive medical laboratories to try to discover treatments, vaccines, and cures.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) initiative is the fact they have announced  that their expansive testing plans will be entirely self-funded.  No money will be accepted from: government agencies, hospitals, insurance companies, patients, and the FDA.

While some observers may accuse Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) of being altruistic in their initiative, I disagree for two reasons:

First, Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) has the scientific minds and equipment which are uniquely situated to make a difference in the world's battle against it's current nemesis.  If Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) were to do nothing, the virus would sweep through Indianapolis, and all of Indiana, wiping out much of the economy on which the company and it's employees depend.

Second, there is a price to pay for accepting money or capital from government.  The saying, "Nothing is free.", is certainly true.  Years ago, a government hospital insisted on setting me up with "free" Zyprexa; but, as I quickly found out, I had to see a public doctor who wouldn't prescribe it, and instead wanted me to "take" an inferior, less expensive drug.  I was also forced to go to something they called a "group" once a week, that entailed sitting in a room with a public county official and listening to the dregs of the neighborhood discuss their problems.  My "free ride" ended when I went out and found a private doctor who would prescribe Zyprexa (for which I paid full price for 5 years to buy)

Paul Wharton

Special thanks to Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) for inventing the fuel of my mind