That is only an argument for patents if you buy into idea that private sector / capitalism is the best answer for every problem. The fact that you need patents

That is only an argument for patents if you buy into idea that private sector / capitalism is the best answer for every problem. The fact that you need patents to shore up that idea strongly indicates to me, health is not one of the well suited problem. The other non-patent solution is funding the likes of CDC and NIH to research disease prevention and related drugs. In general the things that aren't (or shouldn't be) inherently profitable but are none the less needed should be socialized.