ABSTRACT
Drug expenditures in the U.S. have doubled since 1993, and are expected to double again by 2004^—a troubling trend that provoked politicians in the 2000 campaigns to quarrel about how^ to make prescription drugs more affordable. Strangely, the hand-wringing over exorbitant drug prices has ignored the federal government's role in giving away its most promising drug research and development (R&D) for a fraction of its actual value. Drug companies then charge whatever prices the market will bear. It is a sweet deal for drugmakers but an outrage for millions of American taxpayers and consumers.
