As far as prescription drugs go, wouldn't it be cheaper for the Government to buy out the patents once a worthwhile drug is developed and give them away? It's the R&D that costs all the money, not the manufacturing of the product.
Yes, it might be economically more sensible, and is probably worth exploring.
Had I my druthers, I would rather see the stupid drug "benefit" ended. Since the Republicans (who let this nonsense go through while in control of Congress) do not even control Congress at this point, there's no way now that we can end this fiscal nightmare before it becomes far too entrenched to be removed. At least we look at some ways to try and make it less burdensome. Outright buying of relevant patents and releasing them into the public domain might generate some overall savings.