Overpriced, a report published today jointly by SOMO and Wemos examines the extent of Dutch public funding of drug development, through donations, loans and/or investments. This funding occurs both directly by financing development of new medicines, and indirectly through investments made into biotech companies, but channelled through universities, public research bodies, and national and regional investment funds. The report reveals, however, that because no conditions are set on these investments, the Government loses its chance to curb subsequent high drug prices. Recent research in United Kingdom and Spain has uncovered a similar pattern of public funding and drug development. In Overpriced, SOMO and Wemos argue the need for European legislation to ensure affordable medicines and a public return on public investment.