If you can’t beat them, cry about them. the chairman of Sanofi-Aventis of France recently complained that generic drug companies were making product in poor countries where costs were low and then selling the drugs in wealthier companies at a profit.

Big pharman executives need to be a little more careful about what they say, lest it be turned back on them. There is a broad perception that these companies with their patented drugs to fair too little to supply them to the poor in underdeveloped countries. Strong enforcment of their patents, and, therefore, profits make the issue of inexpensive therapies all the more acute.

Off the soap-box before someone pushes you.

Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at douglasamcintyre@247wallst.com. He does not own securities in companies that he writes about.