Well you're right, drug companies bankrolling clinical trials is the biggest (and only) real argument for keeping patents. On the other hand, drug companies mo

Well you're right, drug companies bankrolling clinical trials is the biggest (and only) real argument for keeping patents. On the other hand, drug companies mostly develop lifestyle drugs these days. Drugs that cure people are less subjective and not profitable enough. I'd bet most of the real medical research still comes from academics sponsored by government, *-for-the-cure fundraising organizations, etc.