Socratic Medicine: Why are we so dependent on the Pharmaceutical Industry? What goes into the Research, Development, and Manufacturing of these medicines that makes it so EXPENSIVE?

Our nation is attempting to address the issues of giving 

access to HEALTH CARE to all Americans with "OBAMACARE", but at the same time no matter who pays for the health care it is going to be EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

There are some serious questions that need to be presented to CONGRESS in regards to the REGULATION, pricing, distribution, and marketing of the Pharmaceutical Industry's products...(How,What,When, If.. creates these prices?)

We have become veritable lab rats in a system that cures nothing, and escalates the profitability of those invested in our infectious desires to be irresponsible with our health. The Food, and Drug Administration is suppose to protect consumers right? But can you expect the FDA to be able to impede what looks like the monopolies of the RAIL ROAD, STEEL, and OIL INDUSTRY 100 years ago?

I question the mental, and physical health of the American population, and I do so because I will not swallow any pill that can make me believe that it is FAIR to charge 1000% mark up on a "medicine" to treat a symptom created by the same companies that sold you the food that is causing it. - That is all