The US gov't does not pay for most drug R&D. It pays for most of the basic science, that often leads to drug candidates, but the industry shoulder nearly 100% of the cost of getting a drug to market.
The combined, private R&D budget for biotech is ~$70B (not including VC funding). Total NIH funding (much of which is not drug focused) is ~$30B.
The combined, private R&D budget for biotech is ~$70B (not including VC funding). Total NIH funding (much of which is not drug focused) is ~$30B.