> These two statements contradict one another and the second one sounds awfully like moving the goal posts because the data doesn't support the conclusions. Th

> These two statements contradict one another and the second one sounds awfully like moving the goal posts because the data doesn't support the conclusions. The abstract I quoted reads: "Some leading analysts claim that although fewer drugs have been discovered worldwide over the past decade, most are therapeutically important. Yet a comprehensive data set of all new chemical entities approved between 1982 and 2003 shows that the United States never overtook Europe in research productivity, and that Europe in fact is pulling ahead of U.S. productivity. Other large studies show that most new drugs add few if any clinical benefits over previously discovered drugs." The first snippet you pulled out is prefaced by Some leading analysts claim. This study's meta-analysis concludes that those analysts are incorrect.