The argument I heard is that it is the US-based companies that are incurring all the R&D and subsequent safety approval costs. Once the drug is researched and d

The argument I heard is that it is the US-based companies that are incurring all the R&D and subsequent safety approval costs. Once the drug is researched and determined to be safe, you'll have generic providers then make their own copies of it, for a fraction of the cost. Is there any merit in this argument?