Drug companies playing at more patent games

Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene (NY Times)
Companies like Myriad, based in Salt Lake City, have argued that the patent system promotes innovation by giving companies the temporary monopoly that rewards their substantial investment in research and development.
Richard Marsh, Myriad’s general counsel, said company officials would not be able to comment on the lawsuit until they had fully reviewed the complaint.
The coalition of plaintiffs argues that gene patents actually restrict the practice of medicine and new research.

Walmart: $4 footlong...

Well, not really. But, on a personal note, I have decided to transfer my prescription, generic happy pill to Walmart, big box be damned. Paying almost $140 for three months vs. $10 for the same amount of time...Wow. With that $130 saving, I could have gone to see Chaim Topol's final tour with Fiddler on the Roof, not to mention, sprung for a prix fixe dinner at Cosmos.

Don't misunderstand me: I understand the "Big costs of Big savings," but I also know that our prescription drug industry has inflated drug prices beyond the means of most people. When retirees have to choose between a drug that makes their lives more comfortable and eating, there's something wrong.

What I don't understand, is if Walmart has the ability to manhandle such prices with its huge bargaining clout, why can't the US government?

Walmart Pharmacy