When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it often receives patient protection for that medication, allowing it to charge a higher price. Explain how this public policy of providing patient interests.

Select al the choices that apply:

A. Without patient protection, the developer of the drug would be forced to raise prices to compete with general manufactures.

B. Without patient protection, the developer of the drug would be forced to lower prices to compete with general manufactures.

C. Without patient protection, drug manufactures would be less willing to spend as much on R&D to develop new drugs and drug innovation would be curtailed.

D. It is in our interest as a society that new and improved drugs be developed, despite the fact that the development and testing process can be a very expensive and lengthy process.