Where does cancer research money go?

Virtually a day does not go by when you will read or see on TV a request for money for cancer research — walks and carwashes and outright begging for funds for cancer research. And the American people have responded by giving millions and millions of dollars each year for cancer research.

Then on TV we see an NBC news bit about a drug that is expected to extend the lives of lung cancer victims.

However, this medication will cost $115,200 a year. Pfizer’s drug is called Xalkori.

My question is, if the American public has given cancer research hundreds of millions of dollars, why should the results of that research cost $115,200 a year? Where has this money gone? Who has received it? And why are the successful results of the research held as ransom for some critically ill person?

I certainly hope some responsible party can answer my questions.

Bill McElman

Lake in the Hills