Drug Companies are not "Charities"

Andrew Sullivan dropped a stinker today, it seems that he's confused corporations with charities. Don't believe me? Here it is:

"Pioneers of new technology and new medicine are rarely regarded as humanitarians by the media or the liberal intelligentsia... [snip] I'm not saying charity-workers do not deserve our support and praise. I'm saying that the definition needs to be expanded. But that would include the drug companies, wouldn't it?"

I can appreciate that as someone who essentially owes his life to new innovations in pharmaceuticals Sullivan might feel a soft spot for them, but that's just silly. Drug companies take a very substantial chunk of change for their innovations, they are paid in full. Charity is giving without expecting reward, drug companies expect a reward. They may be helpful, but they do expect a financial reward.