Pharmaceutical patents, operatively, are really more about latter stage of drug development (human trials, regulatory approval, etc.) than they are about invent

Pharmaceutical patents, operatively, are really more about latter stage of drug development (human trials, regulatory approval, etc.) than they are about invention and discovery. A limited monopoly (or alternatives, such as bounties) make sense here, but we could drop the patent designation altogether. In fact, working through a patent frame can get in the way. Drugs that aren't patentable fall outside the framework and therefore have no funding mechanism for these later frameworks. Start the clock at approval. Drop the limitations. Prior art Business models, software & obvious/trivial inventions were never supposed to be patentable, and technically aren't. The fact that they often are in practice is an argument for reform. One-click remains the perfect example, as it falls into all three categories. Also, look at the state of the patent "industry." Patent trolls. Admit-nothing mutual licensing agreements. Patent arsenals held for defense. The Apple-Samsung war, with no result or benefit to either.