"Cheaper" trials are already par for the course in the developing world. And there are, as you mention, all kinds of down sides. But don't worry Big Pharma is not going to be sitting forever in the west. The rest of the world's governments, have had enough of their BS while trying to keep their populations alive. The consequences can be seen in IP law in the developing world and the rise of serious local competition.
Bottom line - if you need access to medication\treatments that's costing a bomb, check out the options available in the developing world. You will be amazed.
Some of the trials from big western pharmaceutical companies are actually being outsourced to smaller labs in Asian countries with less restrictive laws, especially when testing with large mammals.
