However, this would be government stepping in to artificially keep prices high simply because the drug companies accept no responsibility to make these medicines available once they no longer hold the promise of the giant profits they once presented.

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And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.

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But it would have been surprising if the ECB had opted for this kind of promise, which - once offered - would remove all incentive for governments to take tough decisions.

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Both Novartis and Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people ) are nearing FDA approval for once-a-day pills that work in a fashion similar to Byetta, although without the promise of weight loss.

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