Why does the government grant patents to companies that research new drugs?

Read the articles below.

1) The Kraft-Heinz merger & the monopoly on food

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/2015/03/26/The-Kraft-Heinz-merger-the-monopoly-on-food/4591427324041/

by By Frank J. Maduri – March 26, 2015

2) Crovitz: TV’s Unnatural Monopolies.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324139404579016850166003972.html

3) Is Google a Monopoly? Wrong Question

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-08/is-google-a-monopoly-wrong-question.html

4) Drug Patents and Generics

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Drug-Patents-and-Generics.aspx

Answer the following question (one paragraph)

1. Why does the government grant patents to companies that research new drugs?