Last checked at 
By Ben Hirschler
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Leaders of the globalpharmaceutical industry, blasted by incoming U.S. PresidentDonald Trump for "getting away with murder" on drug prices, areputting a brave face on the challenges in their biggest market.
The following are comments from chief executives on U.S.pricing prospects, based on Reuters interviews at this week'sWorld Economic Forum in Davos:
JOE JIMENEZ, NOVARTIS
"The new administration has been pretty vocal aboutsupporting innovation. They understand that when you spend moneyon research and you develop intellectual property there needs tobe some level of return for that investment. I believe, based onwho the president-elect has put in place around him, that thereis a clear understanding of investment and return oninvestment."
KEN FRAZIER, MERCK & CO
"Pricing will remain a challenging issue for those of us whoare in the research-based pharmaceutical industry, as well as achallenge for the overall healthcare system in terms of what itcan afford."
"The tweets will be what they will be, but the subjectmatter of the tweets has been a challenge before the electionand I think it will remain a challenge after the election."
ANDREW WITTY, GLAXOSMITHKLINE
"Clearly, the industry has an obligation to delivervalue-creating innovation and it needs to price it at a levelthat is deemed to be acceptable."
"Industry has to price in an empathetic way. Just becauseyou can demonstrate value doesn't mean it is affordable."
SEVERIN SCHWAN, ROCHE
"If you provide true medical differentiation coupled with astrong intellectual property position, I think the U.S. willcontinue to reward this kind of innovation. If you don't offerthat then, frankly, I think it is the right thing that pricesshould come down."
OLIVIER BRANDICOURT, SANOFI
"It's very difficult to understand what all those commentsand tweets will end up being."
"It's going to probably be very difficult to issuelegislation on drug pricing."
FLEMMING ORNSKOV, SHIRE
"I think we are in good position to prove the value of ourproducts but, of course, there will be challenges."
(Editing by Alexander Smith)
