Recent amendments to the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act (PAHPARA) authorize HHS to study alternative economic models for the pharmaceutical business that essentially divorces research and development costs from drug prices by taking away the state-sanctioned monopolies such as exclusivity periods and patents.  Should pharma be forced to make money without patents? Or are there fixes to the patent system that could cut down the delay of entry of lower-cost generics?

In the course of eviscerating IPRs through Oil States, pharma could theoretically open the door to jury trials for its patents.  That may not be a good thing for branded pharma.