Is the government funding research into finding a cure? I have seen statements that AD at it's current rate will bankrupt the country. If the governemt is funding the research, then why do the Drug Company reap all the benefits. I think the government should fund research, but it also should reap their reward. I am not for communism but I am also opposed to the cost of health care bankrupting the government. If the government funds the researc,h then they should own the patent. The drug company would have to pay a fee to manf the drug and not the other way around as it is now.
It does seem there has to be a better way. I've heard ideas such as incentives for breakthroughs as opposed to long-term patents as a means to fuel research. It's a real trick to balance the welfare of the populace with the plain fact that humans--as a rule--perform for reward. Obviously, we can take an overall gander at the situation with our hearts in the right place, but innovation is going to be egged on by potential payback.
I may well be wrong (not the first time) but I thought that the drug companies funded their own research. That's one of the reasons they give for the high cost of their drugs. Also, that way, they can hide side effects and unfavorable results of testing.
Lori, I think they do for the most part but certainly the NIH and FDA check out (or are supposed to check out) drug co. claims. The NIH also funds a lot of basic research, before the point where marketable drugs are being developed.