Large pharmaceutical firms use monopoly power granted by patents to sell drugs at prices that far exceed marginal costs. Evidence from countries without effective patent protections suggests that these drugs could sell for as little as 25 percent of their patent-protected prices. That difference costs U.S. consumers (including the government)

nearly four times what pharmaceutical corporations spend on research each year.

a. How should we deal with these disturbing abuses of the patent system?

b. Should patents be granted in some industries but not others?

c. If so, how should we encourage research in areas with no patent protection? (Radical)