[AnthonyMouse]

> Some people propose things like "the government should fund drug development". OK, that's a fine proposal; it has pros and cons.

Not only that, it's complementary to private investment. Did public investment produce a valuable new drug? Great! Make sure the law doesn't allow anyone to patent drugs developed entirely with public funding so it immediately becomes a cheap generic.

But if a different drug is developed with private financing under the assumption that they'll get returns during the patent term to justify the cost and risk, well, that's why they're doing it. And paying a higher price for that drug is better than not having it all, or else why is anybody willing to pay the higher price for it?