"It is very inexpensive to synthesize the chemicals that make up most drugs" Can... | Hacker News

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twobits on Dec 8, 2013 | parent | context | favorite | on: Killing cancer like the common cold

"It is very inexpensive to synthesize the chemicals that make up most drugs"

Can I ask a stupid q? How exactly inexpensive is it? Thinking in line of 3d printing, how possible could it be to get the chemicals needed, and the machines needed to mix them appropriately, to make a known drug? Ie, how possible would be to "download a pill"? The recipe, and you make it yourself at home?

refurb on Dec 8, 2013 | [–]

It depends on how complicated the drug is. Some drugs are actually kinda pricey to manufacture while others can be made for pennies a dose.

Yes, you can make many drugs at home with the right setup and technical knowledge. No, robots don't actually help that much.

pestaa on Dec 8, 2013 | [–]

I very much like the idea of open source medicines.

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