The 85% number came from a network special on the drug industry which played in the last month. I'll be damned if I can find it now, though it's reasonable to ask for it. I'll keep looking, ran out of time this morning.

I'm aware, though, that most research is conducted at universities funded primarily by the US government. When the drugs are developed, they are licensed to private companies. That the companies are responsible for development is one of the myths. When you have as much money as they do you can buy a myth, and sell a myth. As an example, note that with unlimited funds GWB got only 500,000 fewer votes than Gore.

The also said the $800 million figure came from one industry funded study which has never been challenged.

There was more about the shenagigans involved with extending patents, etc., and developing drugs, such as Prozac extended, or whatever it's called, in an attempt to avoid generic competition.

Somehow it seems obvious that a rapid return on investment isn't necessarily consistent with the public welfare - there are folks out there who need and deserve meds who can't afford them because the drug companies protect their return from publically funded research.

Arf