4 ms·
About 60% of new drugs come from the US. And there are only a couple of new molecules discovered every year, mostly it's just about repurposing existing drugs b
by toddh 16y ago
About 60% of new drugs come from the US. And there are only a couple of new molecules discovered every year, mostly it's just about repurposing existing drugs because this much cheaper. More money goes to marketing. So, that's not it.
- yummyfajitas 16y agoMore money goes to marketing only in the accounting sense. Drug companies give away lots of free samples which they list on their balance sheet sheet at retail price (for tax purposes). Incidentally, a "drug" isn't the same thing as a "molecule". A drug is a molecule, together with efficacy tests, manufacturing process, delivery system, safety tests, distribution protocols and educational ("marketing") material. A molecule is barely more than a drug idea. [edit: just a thought, this is probably a form of price discrimination as well. According to a few uninsured people I know, doctors tend to give the free samples to people who can't afford the medicine. ]
- jan_g 16y agoConcerning drugs. I was thinking in broader terms, not just the cost of scientists' salaries and laboratiry equipment, but also cost of clinical trials, approval process under various countries' regulators, marketing.