R & D in pharma has been drastically curtailed, partly because of poor returns. Publically funded pharma research wouldn't be the worst idea, also because of th

R & D in pharma has been drastically curtailed, partly because of poor returns. Publically funded pharma research wouldn't be the worst idea, also because of the research focus. Right now the money ends up in sectors that are profitable (cancer), not in sectors beneficial to public health (antibiotics, neglected tropical diseases).