The federal government helps fund drug development research — here’s an eye-popping example…

On the list of stupid things the government spends our money on, drug research may not seem as bad as the mating habits of the tsetse fly.

But look how we end up bank-rolling Big Pharma’s research and then paying for it again (and again).

Last year, the FDA approved Xeljanz (yeah, I have no idea how to pronounce it either), Pfizer’s rheumatoid arthritis drug.

As one source puts it, Xeljanz “had its start” in a federal lab. But even though the initial R&D was funded by you and me, Pfizer charges RA patients a staggering $2,055 per month.

More than $24,000 per year…for each patient!

Not surprisingly, a significant number of RA sufferers are over 65. So their drug costs are covered by Medicare.

See that?

Our tax dollars pay to develop the drug. Our tax dollars pay to buy the drug. And Pfizer pockets all the profits.

But at least we’re helping people suffering from the crippling pain of RA instead of paying for tsetse flies to get “lucky,” right?

Well, I’m not sure this is the kind of help they were looking for…

Just about a year on the market and Xeljanz already carries a black box warning. Because it’s associated with increased risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis and lymphoma.

At least the tsetse flies are smiling.

Sources:
“Seeking Profit for Taxpayers in Potential of New Drug” Jonathan Weisman, The New York Times, 3/18/13, nytimes.com