FDA: Lower drug costs could stifle R&D

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- An FDA official said Thursday forcing U.S. drug makers to lower their prices isn't the solution to stopping seniors from importing drugs from Canada.

FDA Chief Economist Randall Lutter outlined the numerous problems involving drug costs, noting it's easy to identify a problem, but difficult to reach a solution that would keep both medicinal costs low and also encourage drug companies to continue developing new medicines.

The topic is likely to be a key political issue as the nation becomes involved in the presidential election campaign.