As noted in this chapter, many generic versions of the diabetes drug Glucophage were introduced within the first year of Glucophage's patent expiration. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that patients who become ill taking generic drugs cannot sue the manufacturer of those drugs, even though "people who are hurt by a brand-name drug can sue the drug maker for damages." How might the Supreme Court's decision affect the willingness of pharmaceutical firms to invest in research and development on new drugs?