I think the issue of research funding is always fraught, because it's only those with an interest in obtaining certain results that fork out the cash for the research. Government funding for independent research is one answer, as is more funding for universities, but neither seem to be able to compete with the dollars of big pharma... It's a vicious cycle and one seen in many fields (journalism in general is often critiqued for 'stories' that play into the hands of sponsors).